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BJP claims that ‘incriminating CCTV footage’ has exposed this deceptive practice, casting a shadow over the integrity of the entire exercise
The authenticity of the final report and its potential implications for policy-making are now under intense scrutiny across the state. (Screengrab of CCTV footage/News18)
A critical survey of Scheduled Caste (SC) households in Karnataka has plunged into controversy, with allegations surfacing that enumerators are faking the exercise by pasting “completion” stickers on homes without engaging with residents. “Incriminating CCTV footage” reportedly exposes this deceptive practice, casting a shadow over the integrity of the entire exercise.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has wasted no time in denouncing the survey as “bogus”. BJP Spokesperson Ashok Gowda launched a scathing attack, stating, “They are sticking the stickers that they have done the survey even for a Brahmin’s house, for a Vokkaliga’s house, a Lingayat’s house, an OBC house, and even for a Reddy house. So what will be the authenticity of this survey? What is this survey going to bring out? Is it going to bring out population data overall? Or what is intended by Siddaramaiah’s mind, will that be implemented? We have serious objections to this. Now, will this report have any authentication is what is being doubted by the Kannadigas all over the state.”
A crucial survey of Scheduled Caste (SC) households in Karnataka has come under intense scrutiny following revelations that enumerators are allegedly pasting completion stickers without actually interacting with residents@Rohini_Swamy shares more details @harishupadhya |… pic.twitter.com/JcVU9dT8Rp— News18 (@CNNnews18) July 3, 2025
In response to the mounting criticism, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah defended the survey, offering an alternative for residents. “If that’s the case, enrol online. Is there any problem with enrolling online? You can enrol online or when they come home. There are so many ways to enrol, we accept it,” he stated, attempting to assuage concerns about the door-to-door enumeration process.
This controversy erupts even as Karnataka gears up to conduct a comprehensive “caste census”, reportedly at the behest of the Congress high command. The alleged irregularities in the SC household survey, however, raise serious questions about the methodologies and reliability of such ambitious data collection efforts. The authenticity of the final report and its potential implications for policy-making are now under intense scrutiny across the state.
Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India’s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi…Read More
Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India’s space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi… Read More
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