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Time of India

Sticker shocker: Bengaluru civic body's SC caste census sparks outrage over execution

Bengaluru: The caste census drive by BBMP has left residents fuming, as QR-coded stickers marking Scheduled Caste (SC) households have been slapped indiscriminately on everything from bikes to tea stalls — often without any actual enumeration. Launched on June 23, 2025, the survey aims to collect data on 101 SC communities across all eight BBMP zones. However, instead of meticulous data collection, the civic body's sticker campaign has drawn ridicule and criticism, especially on social media, for its shoddy implementation. According to the authorities, BBMP surveyors are supposed to visit homes, verify details, collect self-declaration forms, and place stickers at the entrance to signal participation. In practice though, many residents claim they weren't even consulted. Many woke up to stickers on their doors — and in some cases, on their parked vehicles — with no explanation or prior interaction. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru BBMP's special commissioner (welfare), Suralkar Vikas Kishore, admitted to the gaps in execution. "Enumerators have sometimes done a poor job. We will take stringent action. A sticker doesn't mean the survey is done," he told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O que é ar-condicionado sem dutos no Brasil? Knowledge Knower Undo He also noted that areas unlikely to have SC households are being skipped altogether. "Pls let me know the caste of HONDA ACTIVA!" a user posted on X, highlighting the absurdity of stickers appearing on scooters. Nagarbhavi resident Prabudh Shetty said he confronted officials who claimed the survey had been completed a month earlier. "That's false — we were always home, especially my elderly parents," he said. In Kasturinagar, Nirvigna KS said a sticker was slapped on her door with industrial glue, leaving stains. "Nobody asked us anything or explained what was going on. It's damaging my property." Despite the criticism, BBMP maintains the drive is progressing well. Officials claim they've identified more than 6.7 lakh SC individuals after covering more than 1.8 lakh SC households and 32 lakh general households. Citizens who missed the door-to-door round can scan the QR codes on the stickers to complete the survey online, or visit ward offices and Bengaluru One Centres. However, confusion persists. Smitha Ranganath, another Bengalurean, wrote that a sticker suddenly surfaced on her back gate, without any household member being surveyed. BBMP says it is now covering 1.8 lakh households a day and will intensify verification efforts in the coming weeks. However, for many citizens, the sticker campaign has already left a bitter aftertaste. What to do if a sticker appears on your door? ■ No interaction? Call the helpline at **9481359000** (also printed on the sticker) to request a proper survey ■ SC households left out? Scan the QR code on the sticker to fill out the self-declaration form online ■ For direct access: Visit portal: