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The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Names of SC communities used as cuss words in Karnataka might be changed
The commission headed by retired judge H.N. Nagmohan Das, which is overseeing a survey of Scheduled Caste population in Karnataka to draw up internal reservation for them from the 17% reservation matrix, is also exploring the possibility of recommending change in name of certain scheduled caste communities that are used as cuss words. Some of the names of Scheduled Castes communities, including Holeya, Ghantichor and Halalkor, had been used as cuss word in Karnataka, or used to impart a negative connotation. In the survey of scheduled castes, 101 castes and a total of 186 castes, sub-castes and synonymous names are being used for enumeration. The enumerators, commission sources said, have also observed hesitancy among people belonging to these castes to declare their identity openly. 'We have changed the names of the countries, states, cities, villages and roads. Even individuals have got their names changed. In the past, castes have changed their names too. For example, Komiti is now called Arya Vaishya. If this is possible, why not for others? We are working on it,' Mr. Das told The Hindu. He pointed out that of the 186 scheduled castes and sub-castes, many of the names were given by the upper castes. 'Is it possible for a caste to call themselves Ghantichor, which means thief? Even the word vadda, which is colloquially used to call someone brash or dirty, is the name a caste'H.N. Nagmohan Dasretired judge of Karnataka High Court The survey, which started on May 5, is part of the exercise to enumerate the scheduled caste population in Karnataka before arriving at a decision on earmarking reservation benefits to Dalit right (Holeya), Dalit left (Madiga) and touchable castes, such as Lambani, Bhovi, Korma, Korcha and Beda Jangama. For decades, Dalit left factions have accused the right factions of enjoying the lion's share in the reservation benefits in public education and employment. On the number of castes, which have been identified to be used in derogatory sense, Mr. Das said, 'The commission is in the process of studying and identifying this. It is not the question of changing castes, but it is change of name of caste. Use of castes for abusing is unacceptable in a civilised society in the 21st century.' The commission is examining provisions in law and the Constitution, courts observations and directions on the issue, precedent, if any, and comparative changes that have taken place in the country. 'We have to explore consequences and ripple effect,' the retired judge said. D. Chandrashekaraiah of Chalavadi Mahasabha, which represents Dalit right, agreed with the commission's assessment of caste identity being used as cuss word. 'We also want some names to be changed. However, the problem is that people do not identify themselves as chalavadis in 10 Old Mysuru district. By the time general census commences in 2026, we are hopeful of arriving at some kind of consensus, and we will also seek a code for Chalavadi. Awareness has to be created among people before that to avoid confusion,' he said. Hesitant to acknowledge caste in urban areas Enumerators have reported back to the H. N. Nagmohan Das Commission about hesitancy among Scheduled Caste people in urban areas in acknowledging their caste. 'We have received oral communication from enumerators about such issues. We will verify this information,' said retired judge H.N. Nagmohan Das, who is heading the commission to decide on internal reservation. A source in the commission said that it has been noted that many families, which did not want to participate in the survey due to fear of neighbours identifying them as Scheduled Castes, had told enumerators that they would fill up details online, a provision that was given to those travelling, migrating and to those reluctant to participate in physical enumeration. 'Typically, physical enumeration is taking about 45 minutes for 42 questions. We have come across people fearing stigma, and informing the enumerators that they would do it online, or through booth level registration,' a source in the commission said. After the end of door-to-door survey on May 17, booth level camps will be set up between May 19 and May 21 to register those who have missed door-to-door survey. Online survey would be open between May 19 and May 23, for which Aadhaar number is compulsory.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Karnataka Mala Mahasabha advises people of sub-caste to clearly mention caste name in SC census
Ravindranath Patti, a leader of Karnataka Mala Mahasabha, has appealed to people of the sub-caste of the scheduled caste (right wing) to mention clearly the sub-caste in the specific column in the caste census. The caste census survey commenced on May 5 and will conclude on May 17. Enumerators will conduct the exercise in phases: first, they will go door-to-door, then they will organise special camps, and later offer an online self-declaration option. The government of Karnataka has formed a one-member commission, headed by retired High Court Judge H.N. Nagamohan Das, to oversee the process following directions of the Supreme Court to implement internal reservation among SCs. 'The people of the sub-caste of the right wing of the scheduled caste should clearly mention in the specific column as Chalavadi, Mala, Byagar, and Holeya. The population size will change if community people mention the sub-caste name improperly,' Mr. Patti said.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dalit Christians differ on how to identify themselves in Karnataka survey
As the enumeration work to identify scheduled castes for internal reservation is underway in Karnataka, the identification of Dalit Christians has emerged as a contentious issue. While Dalit right (Holeya) groups are seeking a separate column for Dalit Christians, Dalit left (Madiga) groups believe that they are better off identifying themselves with the Dalit caste, from which they converted, to protect their reservation status. Meanwhile, the Dalit Christian Federation is advising them to be identified by their religion, arguing that it will result in better political representation. With the survey being conducted by the commission headed by retired judge H.N. Nagmohan Das set to cover 101 SCs, its outcome, including the population data, social, economic and educational backwardness, will be the benchmark for the commission to draw the internal reservation within the broader 17% reservation set aside for SCs, which they together (left and right) constitute 18.27% of the total population or about 1.09 crore. Internal reservation is a decades-long demand of Dalit left groups that have accused Dalit right groups of cornering reservation benefits. They want slicing up the reservation among Dalit left and Dalit right besides touchable castes of Bhovi, Korma, Korcha and Lambani. What courts say The courts have ruled that the SC reservation should be based on castes, and since Christianity does not have castes, reservation cannot be applied. In this backdrop, Dalit right groups are urging the commission to include a separate column for Dalit Christians as the Union Government is yet to decide on their reservation. 'The commission should encourage Dalit Christians to identify their religion so that they can be kept outside the SC reservation matrix. The Karnataka Backward Classes Commission led by K. Jayaprakash Hegde has recommended reservation for Dalits in the backward classes reservation matrix,' a source in Chalavadi Mahasabha, which represents Dalit right, said. The Kalaburgi-based Dhamma Deepa Buddha Vihara has also petitioned the commission seeking a religion column in the enumeration. The 2015 Socio, Economic and Educational survey by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes put the total population of Christians at 9.47 lakh, which included many caste-specific Christian groups, such as Brahmin Christians, Kuruba Christians, Holeya Christians, Jalagara Christians, Madiga Christians, Reddy Christians, Vishwakarma Christians, Vokkaliga Christians and Walmiki Christians, among many others. The survey also identified about 12,865 SC population converted to Christianity, and recommended them to be included in Backward Classes Category 1B, which is 'most backward'. Political representation Sources in Dalit left (Madiga) group acknowledge that members of their community have converted to Christianity in big numbers, especially in the backward north Karnataka region. 'Caste inequality, social backwardness, atrocities by upper castes and poverty have driven many to Christianity. However, even after conversion, their social standing has not improved. In the current context, there is a threat of losing reservation benefits if they identify themselves as Christians. We are creating awareness about identifying their caste only during enumeration,' said Basavaraj Kowthal of the Madiga Samudaya Jagruthi Andolana. However, Dalit Christian Federation president D. Manohar Chandra Prasad, who is also a pastor with the Church of South India, said that they are creating awareness among the converted population and encouraging them to identify as Dalit Christians. 'The new recommendation has provided reservation in the backward classes. There is no need to worry about losing reservation status. We do not agree with the population figure cited by the commission for Christianity. Our survey in 2018 showed a population of about 40 lakh, or about 6% of the population of the State. A correct figure would help in seeking suitable political representation.'
