Karnataka Backward Classes Commission Drops 57 Christian Sub-Castes from Socio-Educational Survey Following Protests
Bengaluru, September 21, 2025 – The Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission has removed 57 Christian sub-castes from its upcoming Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (SEES), bowing to intense protests from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups, and political opposition. The decision, announced on the eve of the survey's launch on September 22, means respondents from these groups will now be recorded under a generic "others" category, sidestepping a contentious plan to list identifiers like "Kuruba Christian," "Lingayat Christian," and "Madiga Christian."
The ₹420 crore survey, covering Karnataka’s estimated 7 crore population, aims to collect data on caste, education, employment, and socio-economic conditions over 15 days, ending October 7. Approximately 1.75 lakh school teachers will serve as enumerators, visiting 120-150 households each and using a mobile app to answer 60 questions. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has framed the exercise as a tool to promote equality by identifying disparities, emphasizing it is not a traditional caste census but a broader socio-educational assessment.
Origins of the Controversy
The controversy began in August when the Commission, led by K. Madhusudan R. Naik, released a draft list of over 1,400 castes and sub-castes, including 57 Christian identifiers that tied converts to their pre-conversion Hindu caste origins, such as "Maratha Christian" and "Vokkaliga Christian." Naik initially justified their inclusion, stating, "Those who converted to Christianity want to retain their original roots," arguing it was necessary for an accurate survey. The list also included 99 Muslim sub-castes, intensifying debates over the intersection of religion and caste in reservation policies.
The inclusion sparked immediate backlash. SC, ST, and OBC groups argued that recognizing caste within minority religions could disrupt reservation frameworks, encourage conversions, and erode Hindu caste identities. Hindu seers in Mangaluru threatened a statewide boycott, accusing the government of "labelling Hindu communities as Christians" by including 47 such sub-castes. The Samajika Nyaya Jagriti Vedike claimed the Congress government was attempting to "integrate Christians into Hindu OBC communities," stoking fears of social division.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amplified these concerns, submitting a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on September 16, demanding the sub-castes’ removal. BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar called the survey a "politically motivated gimmick" that risked "chaos and conflict." Karnataka BJP Minorities Morcha president Anil Thomas warned that the nomenclature could "normalise conversion" by allowing converts to retain caste benefits, undermining anti-conversion laws. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra urged communities to declare their religion as "Hindu" to counter what he described as the government’s "divisive agenda."
Government’s Response and Resolution
Governor Gehlot’s intervention was decisive, with a letter to the Chief Minister warning that the sub-caste list could "deepen divides." On Saturday, Siddaramaiah announced the removal, stating, "If someone is a practising Christian, the person will be listed as Christian and not in terms of caste." He clarified that the decision rested with the independent Backward Classes Commission, not the government, adding, "We cannot interfere in it." Backward Classes Welfare Minister H. Shivaraj Tangadagi noted that such labels had emerged voluntarily in earlier surveys, like the Kantharaj Commission, and were not government-imposed.
Broader Tensions and Community Dynamics
The sub-caste controversy is part of larger tensions surrounding the survey. The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, Karnataka’s largest, faces internal divisions over identity. The Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha is campaigning for members to list "Veerashaiva-Lingayat" as their caste and "others" for religion, while the Global Lingayat Mahasabha insists on "Lingayat" alone, rejecting "Veerashaiva" as a sub-caste. The Lingayat Panchamasali sub-sect plans to identify as "Hindu" with their specific caste, reflecting ongoing debates over Lingayat religious status.
The Kuruba community, representing about 7% of the population and including Siddaramaiah, is pushing for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, citing educational backwardness. The Chief Minister supports resubmitting a proposal to the Centre, but this risks friction with existing ST groups protective of their quotas. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, addressing concerns, urged communities not to panic, noting that the government is collecting all opinions to ensure a balanced approach.
Public Reaction and Policy Context
The decision to drop the sub-castes has calmed immediate protests but not the underlying debates. On X, users expressed mixed sentiments. One post noted, "People are UNAWARE of the Caste Effects as they have Changed Religion," while another suggested, "CM may consider Extending time for Survey. Bcz many new things are Cropping up which may lead to Confusion in future." The survey revives a 2015 caste enumeration shelved by the BJP due to opposition from Vokkaliga and Lingayat lobbies, and it draws inspiration from Telangana’s recent approach, which avoided new caste categories.
Siddaramaiah rejected BJP claims of a "divisive agenda," pointing out that the Centre itself is planning a nationwide caste census. As the survey begins, its success will hinge on navigating Karnataka’s complex caste and religious landscape, balancing data-driven equity with the risk of inflaming identity-based tensions.
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