99 sub-castes among Muslims, 57 in Christians: Karnataka Caste Census

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, April 16, 2025: There are 99 sub-castes among Muslims while Christians include those who identify themselves as ‘Brahmin’ and ‘Vokkaliga’, according to the social and educational survey or caste census, which contains fascinating insights into Karnataka’s two dominant minority communities.

As per the 2015 survey, there are 76.99 lakh Muslims, who currently get 4 per cent reservation in the existing category 2B under the OBC quota.

The Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission has recommended hiking the reservation to 8 per cent for category 2B.

A total of 59 lakh Muslims identified themselves as just ‘Muslims’ during the survey. The remaining chose to enumerate themselves using different nomenclatures.

Attari, Baghban, Chapparband, Darji, Dhobi, Irani, Johari, Kalaigar, Moghal, Pattegar, Phool Mali, Rangrez, Sipaayi, Takankar and Teli are among the nomenclatures Muslims have used during enumeration.

Among the sub-groups, the Shaik Muslims are the largest with a population of 5.5 lakh, followed by Sunni Muslims at 3.49 lakh.

Shivajinagar Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad said the presence of 99 sub-castes among Muslims is not surprising.

“These are people who converted, but held on to their professions,” he told DH. “For example, there are Ansaris who are weavers”.

Rizwan said the Muslim community is not worried about the population figures in the survey. “What’s more important is for us to be treated with respect, and that we feel safe,” he said, welcoming the recommendation of hiking Muslim reservation to 8 per cent.

The ‘Muslim’ community is under category-2B. Its sub-castes such as Pinjara and Nadaf come under category-1 and Phool Mali is under categtory-2A, categories that have a reservation of 4 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

Christians

As per the 2015 survey, there are 9.47 lakh Christians, who are divided into 57 sub-castes.

At present, Christians come under category-3B with a 5 per cent reservation alongside Lingayats. The commission has recommended 8 per cent reservation for this category.

While 7.71 lakh people have been enumerated as ‘Christians,’ the rest have used various nomenclatures. Sample these: Madiga Christian,  Billava Christian, Brahmin Christian, Idiga Christian, Jangama Christian, Kamma Christian, Kuruba Christian, Vokkaliga Christian and Valmiki Christian.

BJP minority morcha general secretary Anil Thomas disputed the numbers and nomenclatures.

“The 2011 census showed 11.44 lakh Christians. This number should have increased by natural progression. How can there be a reduction by three lakh?” said Thomas, whose own estimate is that Karnataka has 35 lakh Christians at present.

“There are no castes in Christianity. When a person identifies by a caste followed by the religion, he’ll belong to the caste,” Thomas said.

The BJP leader pointed out that scheduled castes who have converted to Christianity are already under category-1. “Who are these others sailing on two boats?” he said.