Mass Revolt Simmers in Karnataka: Congress Burns at Stake from Within for Scorching Caste Census!

Bengaluru,16 April 2025  : Karnataka politics is in a boil and this time, it’s an internal revolt shaking the Congress to its roots! Incensed by the contentious caste census, Congress MLA  Basavaraj Shivaganga  has mounted a full-scale attack on his own party ministers, calling for the resignation of all seven Lingayat ministers in the Cabinet. His accusation? Complete silence and betrayal of the trust of the community!

“The Lingayat community has been wronged ,” Shivaganga thundered, blaming his fellow ministers for remaining silent like dumb onlookers while the caste census created outrage throughout Karnataka. “There should have been a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting before such sensitive information was released. But they didn’t care! What kind of morality do these ministers possess?” he raged, creating a political storm.

The chorus was joined by another heavyweight, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, a veteran Congress MLA and President of the Akhila Bharata Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha, who lashed out at the caste census and issued a warning to the party of disastrous repercussions. “If they proceed with this decision, Lingayats and Vokkaligas will join hands. They can’t govern this state by turning their backs on us,” he thundered.

The Cabinet of the state is to sit on  April 17  in a special session to make up their mind on the destiny of the Socio-Economic and Education Survey, more commonly known as the caste census. The report, filed over a year ago, was only tabled last week, prompting a political avalanche.

In a humiliating twist, Shivaganga claimed that he could not even call Minister Eshwar Khandre, among the Lingayat leaders. “I had called him, I had sent him a text. No response. Is that how leaders are when their own community is abuzz with queries?” he commented.

Interestingly, slamming his own party members, Shivaganga spoke well of  Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. “At least he met community leaders. What have these seven done?” he asked, reiterating his call for their exit.

The survey report hasn’t shaken the Lingayat base alone. It has also been criticized for its obvious statistical discrepancies — particularly the Muslim population. Muslim population percentages as 12.87%, 9.95%, and then 18.08%, confusing even experienced analysts. Bizarrely, sources now reveal that the figure labeled as 18.08% was actually supposed to be the percentage of Muslims among OBCs, but was labeled as total population share — a gaffe with humongous political ramifications.

To pour oil on the fire, the caste census suggests a huge increase in OBC reservations from 32% to 51%, risking upsetting Karnataka’s social equilibrium and further polarizing its vote banks.

With the caste pot boiling, and influential groups such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas mobilizing for a confrontation, the Congress is facing an unprecedented identity crisis. Will this caste census split the party just before key elections? Karnataka holds its breath.