India, Oct. 14 -- Karnataka has been in the grip of a massive panic attack, especially among caste associations and their leaders, mathadhishas (pontiffs of monastic orders with caste affiliations), and Opposition politicians. Prompted by the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, which is concluding this weekend, every jati (caste) and upa-jati (sub-caste) is advising its flock on how to fill - or not fill - the 60-question form.

This re-survey was loudly demanded by two of Karnataka's most dominant castes, the Vokkaligas and Lingayats. They had opposed the findings of the Kantharaj Commission of 2015, which were withheld until 2025 for many reasons, calling into question its scientificity. But a "scientific truth" in the reckoning of t...