BJP calls Karnataka SC survey bogus after video shows officials skipping houses

The survey of Scheduled Caste (SC) households in Karnataka has come under scrutiny after CCTV footage from Bengaluru showed enumerators allegedly pasting completion stickers without speaking to residents. The footage sparked concerns about the integrity of the exercise.

The opposition BJP was quick to slam the survey, calling it a “bogus” and deceptive process. The party questioned the intent and credibility of the enumeration, which aims to collect data on SC households across the state.

BJP spokesperson Ashok Gowda said enumerators were pasting stickers indiscriminately, even on homes that clearly do not belong to Scheduled Caste families.

“In areas like Girinagar, BTM Layout, Shantinagar, they are sticking the stickers even for a Brahmin’s house, a Vokkaliga’s house, a Lingayat’s house, an OBC house or even a minority house. What will be the authenticity of this survey? What is this survey going to bring out?” he asked.

Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that residents also have the option of registering online, in case door-to-door enumeration is missed or flawed.

“If that’s the case, enroll online. Is there any problem in enrolling online? You can enrol online or when they come home. There are so many ways to enrol, we accept it,” said Siddaramaiah.

The controversy emerges at a time when Karnataka is gearing up to undertake a more detailed caste census, in line with directions from the Congress High Command.

The survey is part of a wider initiative launched by the Karnataka government on May 5, to gather empirical data on SC sub-castes, with the aim of guiding internal reservation policy.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had called it essential for ensuring social justice and equitable distribution of benefits. “There are 101 sub-castes, including Left, Right, Lamani and others, but no empirical data is available,” he said, adding that the 2011 census lacked this granularity.

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