Prime Minister Modi’s recent remarks, alleging that the Congress had diverted reservation benefits from OBCs and SC/STs to Muslims, ignited controversy. However, this issue has long been prominent in Karnataka, notably shaping numerous elections, such as the 2023 assembly polls, which saw victory for the Congress party. Interestingly, the discourse in Karnataka predates the call for a caste census by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.