India Today Conclave South 2026: Santosh Lad Demands Caste Census & Warns of Systemic Failure Over Information Control

By Neetha Bopaiah | Political Bureau, Bangalore Mail

KOCHI | September 29, 2026

KOCHI — Highlighting the widening gap in economic growth and political representation for Backward Classes, Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad stated on Tuesday that Over 60% of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India remain unheard in State Assemblies and Parliament today.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave South 2026 in Kochi, the Minister made a strong case for a comprehensive caste census, emphasizing that reservation is not political appeasement, but an essential right for achieving economic equilibrium and social justice.

“A Bicycle vs. Ferrari Race”: The Wealth & Representation Gap

Drawing a stark analogy regarding economic inequality, Lad explained that expecting marginalized communities to compete without systemic support is inherently unfair.

“If someone is given a Ferrari and another person is given a bicycle and put in the same race, it’s unfair. A person born underprivileged cannot automatically be on par with the privileged in this society,” Lad said during his address.

He pointed out that despite constituting a major demographic share, OBCs have been unable to match the country’s broader economic growth. According to Lad:

 Unorganized Sector: Out of the 93% of India’s population working in the unorganized sector, OBCs constitute nearly 80%.

 Lack of Resources: A significant proportion of OBC individuals lack land ownership, entrepreneurial backing, and capital.

 Money & Caste Dynamics: Marginalized candidates often struggle to compete against wealthier, higher-caste political opponents in legislative elections, directly impacting their legislative representation.

Call for Data-Driven Policy and Caste Census

Underlining the necessity of accurate demographic data to drive targeted affirmative action, Lad urged the center and states to conduct a systematic caste census to identify who genuinely qualifies for OBC benefits.

India is home to roughly 3,700 OBC communities nationwide, including 802 communities in Karnataka alone.

Lad added that major communities such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas could also be classified under the OBC category, provided their inclusion is backed by empirical data demonstrating educational, economic, and entrepreneurial backwardness.

Responding directly to a dare by BJP leader Arvind Bellad—who questioned whether the Congress party would commit to appointing an OBC Prime Minister—Lad emphasized that symbolic leadership at the top does not equate to broader systemic upliftment.

“Having one Prime Minister or Chief Minister from an OBC background does not mean the entire OBC community gets true representation,” Lad countered. “We are talking about a larger interest. If OBCs are granted greater reservation, there will naturally be 30 to 40 more OBC MLAs across legislative assemblies, representing all political parties whether it is BJP, Congress, or Janata Dal. Anyone can become Prime Minister based on numbers, which is why I emphasize that OBCs must get higher reservation to secure greater numerical strength in Assemblies and Parliament.”

“Reservation is not an appeasement; it is a right and an opportunity for social justice and economic equilibrium,” Lad said, stressing that providing fair opportunities in education and wealth creation is mandatory to ensure true democratic inclusion.

Warning on Information Integrity: “The System Will Fail”

Before concluding his address, Lad turned his focus to media narrative, truth, and democratic responsibility. He issued a stern warning against the deliberate manipulation, suppression, or selective feeding of information to the public.

“If at all we have to sacrifice something for this country, for the justice of this country, for the truth of this country, I feel information integrity is very important,” Lad remarked.

He made a direct appeal from the conclave platform to ensure that unvarnished facts are provided to the younger generation:

“From this very platform, I would like to request: if information is given correctly to this new generation and to the world, you’ll see people will have different opinions. But if you are holding back information and feeding information according to your wishes, that’s where the entire system is going to fail.”

Stressing that informed citizens are vital to maintaining democratic checks and balances, Lad concluded that true social justice cannot exist without transparency and truthful representation across both data and public discourse.