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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka Cabinet clears proposal on internal quota for SCs
Bengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to divide the Scheduled Castes (SC) reservation benefits internally among three broader sub-categories, in a decision aimed at paving the way for the implementation of internal reservation for Dalits. The Karnataka cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to divide the Scheduled Castes (SC) reservation benefits internally among three broader sub-categories, in a decision aimed at paving the way for the implementation of internal reservation for Dalits. (HT PHOTO) According to the proposal, the state will divide the 17% SC quota among three sub-categories of communities — 6% for Dalit Right (Holeya), 6% for Dalit Left (Madiga), and 5% for Lambanis, Kormas, Korchas, Bhovis and 59 nomadic groups. Once implemented, Karnataka will become only the fourth state after Telangana, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh, to implement internal SC reservations. 'Chief minister Siddaramaiah will make a statement with this regard in the legislature on Wednesday,' law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil said. The decision comes nearly a year after the Supreme Court permitted states to sub-classify scheduled castes, noting that the category is socially diverse and that benefits often fail to reach the most backward groups. Dalit Left communities, for instance, had long complained that only a few dominant sub-castes were cornering opportunities. The government's formula differs from the one proposed by retired judge HN Nagmohan Das, who headed a one-man commission that studied the issue. His report, submitted recently, suggested splitting the 17% quota across five groups — 6% for Dalit Left, 5% for Dalit Right, 4% for touchable castes, and 1% each for nomadic groups and Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida and Adi Andhra. Instead, the government collapsed the five categories into three, merging nomadic communities with the touchable castes, and placing the Adi groups within Dalit Right. Defending the consolidation of categories, Kannada and culture and backward classes minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said: 'This is a historic decision taken under the leadership of chief minister Siddaramaiah. We are all together. Nobody will be left behind. Earlier, all communities were competing as a pool of 101 castes.' The commission's recommendations were based on a two-month survey beginning May 5, which covered 94% of the state's estimated 11.6 million Scheduled Caste population. But in Bengaluru, it reached just over half of the city's 1.3 million SC residents. Sections of Dalit Right and 'touchable castes' had opposed earlier proposals, claiming their share would shrink compared to what a 2022 cabinet sub-committee, led by then law minister J Madhuswamy, had suggested. The special cabinet meeting to seal the decision was originally slated for Saturday but was pushed to Tuesday amid differences within the government. Home minister G Parameshwar held discussions with five Dalit ministers, and retired officials from Dalit communities also played a role in the consensus-building exercise. The opposition BJP accused the government of delay. Earlier in the day, state party president BY Vijayendra said: 'The Siddaramaiah government has been discussing internal reservation for the last 2.5 years, but still, they have not given any solution. During the previous BJP regime, then chief minister Basavaraj Bommai had increased SC reservation from 15 to 17% and for ST it was increased from 3 to 7%.' He recalled that just ahead of the 2023 elections, the Bommai cabinet had already recommended a distribution formula to the Centre -- 6% for SC Left, 5.5% for SC Right, 4.5% for touchables, and 1% for others. 'BJP's stand is very clear that whatever the previous BJP government had decided, the same thing has to be implemented by Siddaramaiah and no injustice should happen to any SC community,' Vijayendra added.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madigas demand immediate implementation of internal quota within Scheduled Castes
Madiga Jati-Upajati Sanghataneegala Okkuta (Dalit Left category) staged a protest in Kalaburagi on Monday demanding the immediate implementation of the internal reservation within Scheduled Castes as per the recommendations of Nagamohan Das Commission report. Led by okkuta convener for Kalyana Karnataka region Raju Wadekar and district president Parameshwar Khanapur, the protestors gathered at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chowk and took out a march beating the thamate (traditional leather drum) and staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office. The agitators also offered milk to the poster of Nagamohan Das and urged the State government to take steps for the implementation of internal reservation for Scheduled Castes without further delay. 'Our community (Madiga) has been fighting for internal reservation for the last 30 years. Other States such as Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana have implemented internal reservation among Scheduled Castes but the Congress, which promised implementing internal reservation in its manifesto for the 2023 Assembly elections, is dilly-dallying on granting the sub-quota,' Mr. Wadekar said. They reiterated that the Sadashiva Commission had earlier recommended 6% reservation to Dalit Left category. Even the Madhuswamy Cabinet Sub-Committee also proposed 6% quota. Though the Supreme Court delivered a verdict on August 1, 2024 authorizing the respective State governments to provide internal reservation after reclassifying sub-castes through a survey, the Siddaramaiah-led government in January 2025 formed the Nagamohan Das Commission to study internal reservation among Scheduled Castes, they said. And, now, even the Nagamohan Das report recommends 6% for Dalit Left category, the agitators said and accused the Siddaramaiah-led State government of doing injustice to Dalit Left communities with inordinate delay in its implementation. They urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to implement internal reservation as per the recommendations of the Nagamohan Das Commission on Tuesday, without bowing down to any pressure. They also warned the authorities of intensifying their agitation if the State government fails to implement the report.
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka government receives report on SC internal quota
A report recommending internal reservations among Scheduled Castes (SC) in Karnataka was submitted to chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, thus marking the next step in a long-running demand by various sub-castes for equitable access to state benefits. According to the state government, it covers more than 10.7 million people from 2.724 million SC households. The panel's findings are expected to be presented before the state cabinet during its meeting on Thursday. (PTI) The report, prepared by a commission headed by retired high court judge HN Nagmohan Das, spans 1,766 pages and is based on a survey conducted across the state. According to the state government, it covers more than 10.7 million people from 2.724 million SC households. The panel's findings are expected to be presented before the state cabinet during its meeting on Thursday. 'There is a cabinet meeting on Thursday where we will present it and take a decision,' Siddaramaiah said after receiving the report in Bengaluru. He was accompanied by senior ministers including HC Mahadevappa, G Parameshwara, Priyank Kharge, Shivaraj Tangadagi, and RB Thimmapur. The panel's recommendations are expected to restructure the existing 17% reservation for SCs in public education and employment by distributing it among various sub-castes. These include the Dalit Left (primarily Madigas), Dalit Right (mainly Holeyas), as well as Lambanis, Bhovis, Korachas, Kormas, and several nomadic communities. 'This report, including survey data and appendices, is a significant milestone in the implementation of social justice,' Siddaramaiah wrote on social media after the meeting. The formation of the one-member panel came shortly after the Supreme Court upheld the legality of internal reservations under Article 14 of the Constitution. The ruling permitted states to create sub-quotas within broader caste groups, which allowed Karnataka to revisit a politically sensitive issue that has stirred debate for years. Speaking to the press after the report was handed over, justice Das said, 'After analysing the entire data, the commission has submitted its report to the Karnataka government. The report is about 1,766 pages. The survey was done through a mobile application.' He added, 'For a long time, it was my desire that the Scheduled Castes deserve internal reservation. I also recommended to the government that internal reservation must be provided.' The cabinet had approved the methodology for the survey on March 27, the day the interim report was submitted. The data collection was carried out from May 5 to July 6, reaching more than 93% of the state's estimated 11.6 million SC population. However, survey coverage within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) area remained limited to 54%, despite extensions. Justice Das clarified that the report now lies entirely within the government's purview. 'This is the state government's property. I have no control over it. Its content and the decision to whether to accept it or reject it, rests entirely with the state government,' he said. While the full contents of the report have not been released, officials familiar with the matter said that it contains six primary recommendations. The submission of the report has triggered fresh pressure on the government to act, especially from Dalit Left organisations, which have announced a series of protests beginning August 11 if the recommendations are not accepted. Over the years, several groups, especially Madiga organisations, have argued that benefits under the existing quota system have largely gone to the Holeya community, leaving other sub-castes underrepresented in jobs, education, and politics, according to the leaders in the know of the development. The commission's report is expected to be measured against the 2012 AG Sadashiva Commission findings, which had recommended dividing the 17% SC quota into 6% for SC-Left, 5.5% for SC-Right, 3% for marginalised sub-castes, and 1% for others. That report, however, was never implemented. 'This is a historic report. The Justice Nagamohan Das Commission, which was tasked with studying internal reservation, has submitted its report to chief minister Siddaramaiah. For the first time in the country, such a report has been prepared in an organised and scientific manner,' said home minister G Parameshwara. He added, 'The commission used modern technology and submitted the report within two months. We don't yet know what is in the report. CM Siddaramaiah has directed that it be placed before the next Cabinet meeting. Only then will we know its contents, and discussions will follow regarding its implementation.' Parameshwara also noted, 'The report must be accepted by the Cabinet. It is not my decision to make, and even CM Siddaramaiah cannot decide alone.' Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi said: 'We are accepting the report. The CM has convened us to discuss accepting the report and the actions to be taken afterwards. The CM will decide on the pros and cons of the report. Further discussion will take place after the report is formally submitted.' Former minister H Anjaneya recalled the delay in implementing previous reports and said, 'We are curious and concerned about the report. The Sadashiva Commission had earlier recommended 6% reservation. The Madhuswamy Cabinet Sub-Committee had also proposed 6%. This commission is expected to recommend 6 to 7%. For the past 35 years, communities under the Dalit Left category, particularly safai karmacharis and labourers, have been hoping for justice.' Meanwhile, the state has temporarily halted recruitment processes to avoid legal complications before finalising its policy response to the recommendations.
