Karnataka Caste-Survey findings: Will of Political Party, Leadership key to implementation of social justice, says congression leader Raju

K. Raju, a permanent invited to the CWC. Photo: X/@Krajuinc

The differences within the government of Karnataka about the implementation of the caste research reflect the larger gap on the issue within the party.

Both the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and former party chief Rahul Gandhi have determined the party position to argue for the removal of the 50% CAP on reservations and re-assigning quotas for various social groups after a national caste-scenus.

Yet there are leaders within the party who have advised caution. Although some claim that the congress must articulate his messages in a way that focuses more on aspiration than on social background, others warn against the alienation of the forward cupboards.

The gap could also be seen in how two congress-controlled states reacted to the findings of Kaste-survey. Telangana, which carried out a caste survey, removed the 50% ceiling and announced a quota of 42% for other backward classes (OBCs) in educational institutions and jobs in the government. Discussions within the Karnataka cabinet, on the other hand, did not remained decisive on April 17, 2025.

“When the reservation was discussed in the constituent meeting, it was not then not smooth sailing,” said K. Raju, a permanent invited to the CWC. “But that is where the leadership and the will of a political party come into play,” he added.

Karnataka Caste Census Report: OBC Reservation proposed to be increased from 32% to 51%

Mr. Raju, an IAS officer who is politated, who is the national coordinator of congress departments for planned cupboards (SC), planned tribes (STS), OBCs and minorities, pointed out how Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was treated by the land reforms.

“There was opposition to the abolition of Zamindari and land reforms in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. In some cases even courts had given unfavorable statements. That was when Nehru Ji went on with the first amendment on the Constitution and land reforms under the ninth scheme,” he said.

The congress leader, who is also the All India Congress Committee (AICC) who is responsible for Jharkhand, claimed that certain social groups have created a story that suggests that their “hold about the resources, education and jobs of the country would be lost if a caste count was performed.”

“The fear is really about removing the veil that has hidden the maldistribution of assets and opportunities,” he said. Mr. Raju argued that raising quotas for Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs can be negotiated over time.

“Groups in the higher caste must understand that concerns are aimed at correcting historical injustice with which these communities are confronted and must respond with magnanimity,” he said, emphasized that higher quotas for marginalized groups “ultimately benefit everyone”.

“When Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and other marginalized groups are trained, find work and improve their lives, their purchasing power increases. This in turn stimulates the economy,” said Mr. Raju, with a potentially multiplication effect.

“Making a strong argument for removing the 50% limit on reservations, the congress leader argued that such a movement would also benefit forward cupboards under the category of economically weaker section (EWS),” which currently has a reservation of 10%.

“In Bihar, for example, the arms are about 7.5%among groups in the higher caste, but have access to a quota of 10%,” he said.