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Asking the enumerators to “keep it simple” and only focus on essential data, Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar said the 60 main questions and 20 sub-questions were excessive
Karnataka deputy CM DK Shivakumar interacts with enumerators for the ongoing caste survey in the state. (Image: News18)
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar was visibly miffed with the sheer number of questions in the ongoing caste survey, for which he was enumerated at his residence in Sadashivnagar on Sunday.
The opposition BJP, meanwhile, took a swipe at the ruling Congress over the ongoing ‘Social and Educational Survey’ – widely referred to as the ‘caste census’ – citing objections to the way in which the enumeration is being carried out and the questions are asked.
Shivakumar, who launched the survey in the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area, was left frustrated with the hour-long process. He reportedly advised officials conducting the survey not to ask certain questions that are “personal” in nature even as he called upon the people to participate in the survey.
Asking the enumerators to “keep it simple” and only focus on essential data, he criticised the nature of the questions and said there is “no point in asking” people about the cattle they are rearing or how much gold they possess. He said the 60 main questions and 20 sub-questions were excessive.
“Questions like how many hens and sheep you have, how much gold you have. They are asking me if I have poultry. Am I doing poultry business?” Shivakumar asked. “They should have simplified it. I saw it today. There are far too many questions. I have asked them to reduce it. People won’t have patience, especially in cities.”
The deputy chief minister argued that officials should focus only on essential data such as “caste, educational qualification, and whether or not a household has received government benefits”.
The survey, being conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, began on September 22 and is scheduled to continue until October 7.
WHAT DID THE BJP SAY?
Asking Shivakumar to corner the government over the questions asked, the BJP took a swipe at the state government for creating confusion about the survey.
Speaking from Mysuru, state BJP president BY Vijayendra said: “The state government is conducting a caste census in the name of an economic-social-educational survey, and the confusion over this is only increasing every day. This is evident just by looking at the response of deputy CM DK Shivakumar. They have placed 60 questions before the common people. There is confusion in all communities.”
Vijayendra said it is obvious on the surface that the state government took a hasty decision without ample preparation.
The JD(S) also joined the BJP in hitting out at the Congress government. They cited Shivakumar, who reportedly refused to answer a number of questions asked by enumerators as part of the survey.
The opposition party claimed that he has rejected the caste census survey model and questions prepared by “Rahul Gandhi and team, without providing proper information”.
“The DCM himself does not know what questions are being asked, The DCM is frustrated by the questions asked by the enumerators, then what is the fate of the common people?” the JD(S) said in a post on ‘X’.
(With agency inputs)
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
October 05, 2025, 22:05 IST
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