Karnataka Socio-Educational Survey: Cong MLC Shivanna Seeks Special Session

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By Political Bureau, Bangalore Mail

BENGALURU

Congress MLC BS Shivanna on Wednesday urged the Karnataka state government to convene a special session of the legislature to discuss the socio-educational survey report submitted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC).

Speaking in the Legislative Council, Shivanna commended the administration for holding discussions on drought conditions and the Kasturirangan committee report. However, he emphasized that critical reports costing public money must not be sidelined.

“Similarly, a special session must be called on the Madhusudan Naik report. That report, prepared after spending hundreds of crores, should not be kept in the fridge,” Shivanna remarked.

Calling for bipartisanship between the ruling party and the Opposition on implementing the survey recommendations, the MLC urged Legislative Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed to direct the government to convene the session.

Background & Judicial Stay

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah received the KSCBC report on May 27, 2025, prior to stepping down. However, the State Cabinet is yet to take up the report for deliberation.

The state government has previously cited legal constraints, pointing out that the Karnataka High Court had warned against publicising the findings of the report. Meanwhile, the KSCBC plans to move the High Court to seek the removal of the stay order, with the next legal hearing scheduled for September 25.

Social and Political Divide

The socio-educational survey—conducted in 2025 by the KSCBC under Madhusudan Naik—follows similar historical efforts, including the 2015 exercise led by H. Kantharaj. An updated report prepared by the Jayaprakash Hegde-led commission was set aside by the Siddaramaiah government in June 2025 due to its reliance on decade-old data.

The issue continues to divide state politics along community lines:

 AHINDA Support: The Ahinda groups—representing Minorities, Backward Classes, and SC/STs—back the survey as a crucial tool for achieving social justice.

 Dominant Community Resistance: Dominant groups, including the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, have historically resisted and opposed such socio-educational surveys.