Karnataka minister defends timing of caste census release amid opposition criticism

Amid opposition's criticism over the delay in release of the caste census in Karnataka, Home Minister G Parameshwara justified releasing the caste census at this time.

In Short

• Karnataka government to discuss caste census in upcoming cabinet meeting
• Opposition debates timing of caste census release by government
• Timing of census release unrelated to ongoing Muda case, says minister

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara addressed concerns over the release of the caste census, stating that opposition reactions are part of an ongoing debate. Minister Parameshwara justified releasing the caste census at this time.

He noted that while calls for the caste census arose earlier, there is now opposition to the government's move to bring it forward.

“We have decided to take up the caste census issue in the cabinet. There were delays, but now we plan to address it. The decision will be made whether to present it in the assembly or release it directly after the cabinet meeting,” Parameshwara said.

He also said that the timing of the census release is not related to the ongoing Muda case, which is centred around the alleged illegal allotment of land parcels to the wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The home minister rejected claims that it was meant to divert attention from other issues.

The government is considering taking up the caste census at an upcoming cabinet meeting to determine how and when the data will be released, with the possibility of aligning it with any national census efforts.

Earlier in September, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government would table the caste survey report in the cabinet next month.