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Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Siddaramaiah govt may hit a hurdle in its bid to roll out Dalit sub-quotas
The Congress-led Karnataka government is likely to take a crucial decision this week with regard to the party's pre-poll promise of granting internal reservations to 101 sub-groups in the Scheduled Castes (SCs) category. The Siddaramaiah-led government is facing the challenge of dividing the existing 17% reservation for the SCs in government jobs and public education between its sub-groups based on their backwardness. A report on the social, economic and educational situation among the SCs in Karnataka, prepared by the Commission headed by retired high court judge Justice H N Nagamohan Das, was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 4. The report was accepted by the state Cabinet in a meeting held on August 7. 'In a short span of time, a scientific survey (on the SCs), which covered nearly 95% of the state's population, has been presented. The report has been given to all ministers and the Cabinet, while accepting it, has asked for it to be studied. A special Cabinet meeting will be held on August 16 and a decision will be taken on it,' Law Minister H K Patil said after the August 7 meeting. The survey on the SC sub-groups, held on the recommendation of the Justice Das Commission, has found the total Dalit population in Karnataka to be 1,07,01,982. After the removal of 1,77,662 Buda Jangam-Beda Jangam members, whose inclusion among Dalits had stirred a row, and 14,449 people who married non-SC persons, the total SC count in the state has been pegged at 1,05,09,871. According to the 2011 Census, the SCs made up 16.64% of Karnataka's 6.11 crore population. The Justice Das Commission has recommended for classifying the SC sub-groups into five categories – SC Left (Madigas), SC Right (Holeyas), 'touchable communities like Banjaras and Bhovis (classified as tribes in other states), small groups listed as 'others', and a new 'Category E'– instead of the existing four. 'Each category has many castes. If the 17% reservation available for SCs in Karnataka is to be distributed to these sub-groups, it should be done according to their population,' the Commission stated in its report. However, noting that the goal of social justice cannot be achieved if reservation is granted only based on population, the panel stated, 'In addition to population, the quota should be determined keeping in mind the educational, occupational and social backwardness.' The panel has recommended 1% reservation for Category A, which comprises 58 sub-groups whose population makes up 3.97% of the SC population and 6% quota for Category B (SC Left group) which is considered the most backward and makes up 34.91% of the SC population with 18 sub-groups. The Commission has called for 5% reservation for Category C (SC Right group) – considered less backward and more politically established which makes up 28.63% of the SC count with 17 sub-groups – and 4% quota for Category D (SC 'touchables'), which makes up 26.97% of the Dalit population with four sub-groups. The panel has also recommended 1% quota for Category E, which accounts for 4.52% of the Dalit population and has been categorised under three broad sub-groupings – Adi Dravida, Adi Andhra and Adi Karnataka. 'In the last 75 years, some SC sub-groups have been empowered to some extent through reservations but the life of some people from these same groups is still miserable with low education levels,' the panel noted in its report. Observing that some castes that have received the benefits of reservation have seen 'educational, occupational, political, economic and social mobility but some have not been able to get the benefit of reservation at all,' the panel said, 'Those who are better off have to make sacrifices for those who are less fortunate than them. The hungry should be fed first… In accordance with this policy, the quota of reservation should be distributed on priority.' Terming the data collected in the caste count as 'dynamic', the panel recommended a review of internal reservation according to the changing situation. 'The Karnataka government has taken steps to conduct a fresh caste survey. Similarly, the Union government has initiated the process of conducting a Census and a caste census. If there are significant discrepancies in the data, the reservation for SCs in the state can be revised,' the report said. The Commission also called for age relaxation for the SC members who have lost out on job opportunities owing to the Karnataka government halting recruitment in government services since October 2024 pending a decision on internal reservation. 'Some SC communities are enjoying the benefits of reservation by obtaining caste certificates of Adi Andhra, Adi Karnataka and Adi Dravida. Some of them know their original caste. For example, Manna, Kembatti, Mera, Madiga Dasari etc. However, their original names are not included in the SC list. The government should study this and take steps to include the names of these castes in the SC list,' the panel noted. Justice Nagamohan Das Commission The Justice Das Commission, constituted to study and submit a report on the internal reservations for SCs, submitted an interim report on March 27 and asked for a fresh SC survey citing lack of accurate data. Subsequently, the Siddaramaiah government held a door-to-door SC survey between May 5 and July 6, which covered 27,24,768 Dalit households. In August last year, the Supreme Court had allowed internal reservation among the SCs and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in jobs and education to provide better support for the more disadvantaged groups. The demand for the SC survey has been made to ascertain the population of each sub-group to decide sub-quotas accordingly amid claims that a large slice of their quota was being cornered by upwardly mobile SC sub-castes like Holeyas, Banjaras and Bhovis. BJP's sub-quota bid In March 2023, the previous BJP government, enhanced reservation for the SCs from 15% to 17% by granting 6% of the reservation to the SC Left, 5.5% to SC Right, 4.5% to 'touchables', and 1% to other SC groups. Its basis was the 2011 Census numbers and some aspects of the 2012 Justice A J Sadashiva Commission report. Some of the most backward SC sub-groups like Madigas have been demanding the implementation of the Justice Sadashiva Commission report, which recommended 6% reservation for the SC Left group, 5% for SC Right, 3% for 'touchables' and 1% for others. This panel found that a majority of the reservation for SCs in Karnataka was being availed by sub-groups like Holeyas, Bhovis and Lambanis while most backward groups like Madigas remained 'deprived'. The BJP's move backfired to an extent as Bhovis and Banjaras went against the party in the 2023 Assembly polls over the reduction in their reservation from 15% to 4.5%. The sub-quotas, however, never saw the light of day then as the mandate for changing internal quotas was then with the Centre. The Siddaramaiah government's rationale behind setting up the Justice Das panel was that internal reservation to SCs given on the basis of population – like the Sadashiva panel report – is not likely to stand the legal test for want of proper data, as mandated by the top court. 'In the wake of a three-decade-old demand, the Cabinet has agreed in principle to grant internal reservation to SCs. The government has decided to take all 101 sub-groups into confidence and scientifically implement an internal quota,' Siddaramaiah had said after his Cabinet approved the setting up of the Justice Das panel. Challenge before Congress The issue is a tricky one for the state Congress, which has traditionally drawn support from the SC Right group, to which many of its prominent leaders like AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Home Minister G Parameshwara and Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa belong. While the SC Left group has backed the Congress in the past, several sub-groups have drifted towards the BJP citing lack of political representation. The group, which has benefited most from the SC quota, is likely to resist any sub-quota move by the Siddaramaiah government. To buy time on the issue, the Siddaramaiah government is likely to refer the Justice Das panel's report to a Cabinet sub-committee.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Siddaramaiah gets SC quota report; cabinet to discuss on August 7
BENGALURU: Justice (retd) HN Nagamohan Das submitted his report on sub-classification of reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) to the state government on Monday. The report will be placed before the cabinet on August 7 to decide on its implementation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters after receiving the report. Rubbishing controversies surrounding the SC caste survey by the commission, he said there were no issues with the survey. The report is 1,766-page long and includes the survey data and analysis with six recommendations. Justice Das' suggestions include division of 17% quota for internal reservation among 101 castes by classifying them as ABCD groups, within SCs. 'I was asked to submit a report on internal reservation under my chairmanship. We conducted the survey for 60 days by using a mobile app. Over 27 lakh Scheduled Caste families have been covered. Everything has been verified and the report submitted. It is now the property of the government. It is up to the government to accept or reject it,' Justice Das told reporters after submitting the report at Vidhana Soudha. The communities that participated in the survey are anxiously waiting to know their population and the quantum of reservation recommended for them. Systematic report made using modern tech: Dr G The SC left community leadership, which often claims that they are more in numbers than SC right, hope for not less than 6.5% out of the 17% reservation. Echoing the sentiments of the community, former minister HH Anjaneya urged the CM to make the Justice HN Nagamohan Das report public. While Bhovis, Lambanis, Korachas and Koramas have been classified as one group, other castes are also expecting their fair share of the quota. Ministers hailing from different SC castes - Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Social Welfare Minister Dr HC Mahadevappa, Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa, Excise Minister RB Timmapur, RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Shivaraj Thangadagi were present when Justice Das submitted the report. The CM directed Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh and social welfare department principal secretary to take steps to place it before the cabinet meeting on Thursday.
Deccan Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Scheduled Castes' survey: Minister Muniyappa to assess on-field progress today
The survey is being overseen by retired judge H N Nagamohan Das, who heads the commission that will decide on internal reservation for SCs.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka caste survey begins; to be completed in 3 stages
The Karnataka government on Monday began a state-wide caste survey for Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-classification, marking the first step towards implementing internal reservation for Dalits, chief minister Siddaramaiah said. The enumeration exercise will go on till May 17. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the survey was in line with the Congress's poll promise to ensure equitable distribution of SC reservation. 'The enumeration of scheduled castes is going on in the state. A one-man commission led by the retired high court judge, Justice HN Nagamohan Das, has been constituted. He has been mandated to give a clear report on the sub quota for castes in the SC list,' the CM said. The panel has to submit its report in 60 days, he said, adding that ₹100 crore will be spent on the exercise and 65,000 teachers will be roped in as enumerators. 'Based on the commission's findings, the Cabinet will take a decision,' Siddaramaiah said. 'As announced in our election manifesto, we are committed to implementing internal reservation. In this direction, we have taken a significant step today,' the senior Congress leader said. The purpose of this exercise was to prepare empirical data on 101 castes in the scheduled caste list, he said. Data points include socio-economic, political, educational, and employment-related information. The initiative comes months after the Supreme Court in a landmark verdict on August 1, 2024 upheld the constitutionality of sub-classification within scheduled castes. Karnataka becomes the third state after Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to initiate such a move following the top court's ruling. According to officials, the survey will be conducted in three phases. In the first phase, currently underway, enumerators will visit door-to-door for data collection. It will be followed by special camps to collect data of those left out in the first phase. In the third phase, residents will be allowed to submit their caste details through an online self-declaration portal. Siddaramaiah said there are discrepancies in the status of some scheduled castes. While castes such as Adi Dravida, Adi Karnataka and Adi Andhra are in the 'Left' category in some places, they are in the 'Right' category in other places. The Justice Nagamohan Das commission will give clear recommendations and prepare empirical data, he added. 'This fresh data will allow us to implement fair internal reservations among SCs, ensuring that the policies are based on real, reliable population figures,' Siddaramaiah said, noting that the 2011 census lacked detailed sub-caste information, making the ongoing exercise necessary. A mobile app has been launched to assist residents in the process, and a helpline (94813 59000) has also been activated. The CM urged members of the SC community to participate in large numbers. The development also comes close on the heels of the tabling of the social and educational survey report of the backward castes, popularly called the 'caste census', before the state cabinet. The Congress government in the state is yet to take a call on the backward caste report. Reacting to the development, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state criticised the government over 'delay in implementation' of internal reservations for SC. 'We fear a suspicious delay in the implementation of internal reservation by the Congress government in the state,' former deputy chief minister Govind Karjol alleged. 'Siddaramaiah, who portrays himself as a champion of social justice, now appears to have fallen behind other states, hanging his head in shame. The Karnataka government is in a position where internal reservation activists have to bring constant pressure and push the government to act at every stage.'
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka government begins survey of SC sub-castes
BENGALURU: A survey on SC sub-classification in the state has begun and will go on till May 17, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday. The exercise started on Monday. Addressing a press conference here, the CM said, "The enumeration of scheduled castes is going on in the state. A one-man commission led by the retired High Court Judge, Justice H N Nagamohan Das, has been constituted. He has been mandated to give a clear report on the sub quota for castes in the SC list." According to him, the Commission has to submit its report in 60 days. Rs 100 crore will be spent on the exercise and 65,000 teachers will be roped in as enumerators. Siddaramaiah said the purpose of this exercise was to prepare empirical data on 101 castes in the SC list.
