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Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Decode Politics: In Karnataka, why Jangama sub-caste row has cast a shadow on SC survey
Amid the ongoing survey of the Dalit sub-castes in Karnataka being carried out by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, a controversy has erupted over the alleged inclusion of a section of Jangama Lingayats in the Beda Jangama and Budaga Jangama groups of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) in the state. The row has stemmed from allegations that many Jangama Lingayats — a sub-caste of the dominant Lingayat community listed in the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category — were allegedly issued 'fake SC caste certificates' in parts of Karnataka because of sharing a common name with the Beda Jangama or Budaga Jangama sub-castes of the SCs, which allegedly resulted in increase in the numbers of the latter groups. What is the SC survey? The ongoing survey of the SC sub-castes in Karnataka, which is also looking into their socio-economic status, is based on the recommendations of Justice Nagamohan Das Commission, which was constituted by the Siddaramaiah government last November to determine internal reservations among the SC groups, which are together entitled to 15% quota. The SC internal survey is based on the Commission's interim report submitted to the government last month, which found that there was no empirical data on various Dalit sub-castes including the SC(left), SC(right), touchable castes and others. Dalits account for 19% population of Karnataka, which is currently estimated to be around 6.5 crore. The Commission is supervising the state-wide survey of the SC sub-castes that started on May 5. Although it was slated to end on May 25, its deadline was extended till May 29 as the enumeration exercise was hampered by heavy rains in some parts of the state. How did the row flare up? On May 20, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, who belongs to the Dalit community, raked up the issue, asking the Siddaramaiah government publicly how the numbers of Beda Jangama and Budaga Jangama have now shot up and that the inclusion of Lingayat Jangamas in the SC sub-castes would be against the interests of Dalits. Kharge's criticism came at a public rally held at Hospet in Vijayanagar district to mark the second anniversary of the Congress government in the state. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar were also present at the event. Earlier, on April 13, Karnataka minister and Dalit leader K H Muniyappa had written to Siddaramaiah about the 'significant increase' in the number of Beda Jangama and Budaga Jangama groups in an 'irregular manner', urging the government to ensure that Jangamas from the Veerashaiva Lingayat community are not included in the SC category during the survey. He also alleged that many Lingayat Jangamas 'have availed fake caste certificates to claim reservation benefits as Beda Jangama and Budaga Janagama'. Who are Jangamas? Jangama refers to a priest class in both the Lingayat and SC communities. According to the Chinnappa Reddy Commission report submitted to the state government in 1990, Lingayat Jangamas, which have sub-groups including Aradhya, Jangama, Matapathi and Veerashaiva, numbered around 8.14 lakh or 2.25% of the then state population. They are vegetarian and officiate as priests in the ceremonies of Lingayats. The Lingayat community is listed in the 3B OBC category in the state, which has been allotted 5% quota. Beda Jangama and Budaga Jangamas are part of the SCs and are Telugu-speaking nomadic groups concentrated mainly in Karnataka districts adjoining Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Considered as priests of the Holeya and Madiga groups, both SC 'untouchables', they are non-vegetarians, who are said to be traditionally involved in 'soothsaying and seeking alms'. According to writer-researcher Dasanur Kusanna, Beda Jangama and Budaga Jangama are 'complimentary synonymous' terms of the same group as 'both of them are interdependent ethno-identities'. The 1961 census pegged the population of these two communities at 5,141, which rose to 1.17 lakh in 2011. The socio-economic and educational survey or caste survey – conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) in 2015 during Siddaramaiah's first tenure as the CM – has estimated the populations of Beda Jangama and Budaga Jangama to be 3.82 lakh and 28,000 respectively. What is Jangama conundrum? The issue of various caste groups sharing the Jangama name was even highlighted by the 19th century British anthropologist Edgar Thurston, who wrote, 'Strictly speaking, a Jangam is a priest to the religious sect of Lingayats, but the term is frequently loosely applied to any Lingayat…. Jangams proper are said to be of two classes, Pattadikaris, who have a definite headquarters, and Charamurtis, who go from village to village, preaching the principles of the Lingayat sect. Many Jangams are priests to Sudras who are not Lingayats.' As per the 2015 caste survey, the population of Lingayat Jangamas was about 1.7 lakh. What are Dalit leaders' concerns? Beda Jangamas are listed under Madigas, an SC (left) group. There have been concerns among the Madiga leaders such as Muniyappa that the inclusion of Lingayat Jangamas in the SC groups would reflect 'wrong numbers' of these most backward of the Dalit sub-castes in the current SC survey. They also argue that including the relatively well off Lingayat Jangamas in the SC list would project a 'wrong picture' of Madigas as the survey is also assessing their socio-economic status. Madigas, the largest SC (left) group, number around 18 lakh in the state. SC (right) leaders like Kharge have opposed the inclusion of Lingayat Jangamas as they fear that the SC (right) numbers would decrease in the survey, which would adversely impact the extent of sub-quotas to be allotted to them. When contacted for his reaction, Justice Nagamohan Das told The Indian Express that the Commission was aware of the issue. 'Now, I cannot disclose (how the issue will be addressed). We are researching that. We have limited powers. Based on that, we will act,' he said.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
It's Congress vs Congress as Kharge slams Karnataka SC survey
The Congress party's Samarpane Sankalpa event on Tuesday in Karnataka's Hospet, meant to be a celebratory occasion marking two years of the Siddaramaiah-led government in office, did not go exactly as planned. Rifts within the Congress party emerged in the open. At the event attended by Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge voiced sharp criticism over the inclusion of the Bedar Jangamas community, listed as an Other Backward Class (OBC), in Karnataka's ongoing caste survey of Scheduled Castes (SCs).advertisementCongress President Kharge warned that including the Bedar Jangamas group in the SC list would harm the interests of the Dalit community, reported news agency PTI. Kharge himself is a member of the Dalit community from Karnataka's open airing of disagreements over caste and quotas points at the internal rifts within the party on a contentious issue which the Congress and its scion, Rahul Gandhi, had of late made the cornerstone of its political messaging. While the Siddaramaiah Cabinet is sitting on the separate Social and Educational Survey report, popularly known as the 'caste census' of 2015, following resistance from the 'dominant' Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, Kharge insisted that the new census for sub-categorisation of the SCs must be conducted properly. The criticism from Kharge echoes the same kind of disagreements that emerged after the 2015 caste census report was tabled in also warned that the Siddaramaiah government must ensure the process does not create future problems or damage the reputation of party leader Rahul RAISES CONCERNS OVER BEDAR JANGAMAS INCLUSION IN SC LISTReferring to Karnataka's SC survey, which is assessing the socio-economic conditions of SC communities, Kharge took up the inclusion of the Bedar Jangamas community, and argued that adding the OBC group to an SC-focused survey undermines the goal of addressing the historical disadvantages faced by Scheduled Castes."Support poor Lingayats within the Lingayat community and provide necessary facilities. But including Bedar Jangamas as SCs -- from just 500 people in the Hyderabad Karnataka region, how did the population jump to 4–5 lakh? Where did they come from? This is unfair. Their inclusion in the SC list will harm Dalit communities and deprive genuine SCs of their rights. Is the intent to help SCs or to take away their entitlements?" Kharge was quoted as saying by PTI and the Deccan Herald newspaper."To help the people, internal SC reservations are being introduced by the state government. At this juncture, if attempts are being made to fail this by including other castes, then it will neither help the state nor the country," Kharge was quoted as saying by The Indian flagged the inclusion of the Bedar Jangamas community in the SC list as a concern because they traditionally belong to the Lingayat OBC Bedar Jangamas community was included among both the Lingayat and SC categories in the 2015 Karnataka caste survey, according to The Indian rebuke comes a week after Karnataka's Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa, also from the SC community, warned CM Siddaramaiah about the risk of Lingayats being counted as Bedar Jangamas in the ongoing survey, noted the Deccan Herald week, The Hindu reported that while Muniyappa flagged his concerns regarding the enumeration of the community as SCs, the Bedar Jangamas community itself went to court, calling the requirement to show caste certificates during enumeration "discriminatory".2015 KARNATAKA CASTE CENSUS ALSO SAW CONGRESS DIVIDEDThe 2015 Karnataka caste census, commissioned by Siddaramaiah during his first term, also caused divisions within the Congress party. The findings reported a notable decrease in the population share of dominant communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas, pegging them at 26% leaders from these communities, who have historically wielded significant political influence, expressed strong reservations about the census and its potential implementation, fearing it could undermine their communities' dominance and reduce their reservation seers and Vokkaliga leaders openly opposed the census, with some Lingayat ministers even petitioning Siddaramaiah to discard the Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who belongs to the Vokkaliga community, even called for a rejection of its backlash led to the Karnataka cabinet deferring a decision on the census in April 2025. In-party political opposition in the Congress from these dominant caste groups has delayed its criticism or warning from Congress President Kharge, as one might interpret it, exposes divisions within the party over Karnataka's SC survey, which echoes the similar differences seen with the 2015 caste census report. This even as Rahul Gandhi tries to champion a pan-India caste census despite differences within his own InTrending Reel
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mallikarjun Kharge puts Siddaramaiah in a spot over SC survey, calls inclusion of OBC group ‘unfair'
The All India Congress Committee (AICC)'s president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday raised concerns over the ongoing survey of the Scheduled Caste (SC) sub-castes in Karnataka being carried out by the Siddaramaiah-led party government, saying that the inclusion of the Beda Jangama group in the SC list would be against the interest of the Dalit community. Kharge's criticism came at a public rally held at Hospet in Vijayanagar district to mark the second anniversary of the Congress government in the state. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar were also present at the event. Noting that the Siddaramaiah government has taken steps to implement sub-quotas for the SC communities, Kharge pointed to the inclusion of the Beda Jangama group among the SC communities, saying that it belonged to the Lingayat community listed as part of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state. 'We will support the poor of the Lingayat community and support them. But, after including Beda Jangamas in the SC list, how did their numbers grow from just 500 to around four to five lakh now,' the Congress chief said in a question pointed at the Siddaramaiah government. 'This is unfair. If Beda Jangamas are included among the SCs, it will go against the untouchable SCs,' Kharge said, asking whether the move was allegedly aimed at 'taking away the rights of the SCs one by one'. 'To help the people, internal SC reservation is being introduced by the state government. At this juncture, if attempts are being made to fail this by including other castes then it will neither help the state nor the country,' Kharge added. According to the socio-economic and educational survey or caste survey – conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) in 2015-2017 during Siddaramaiah's first tenure as the CM – the Beda Jangama group has been included among both the Lingayat and SC communities. As per the caste survey, Beda Jangamas classified under the Lingayat category numbered 50,242, while those from the group under the SC category numbered 3.82 lakh. Dalits account for 19% population of Karnataka. The row has stemmed from the charge that many Beda Jangamas listed under the Lingayat category were allegedly issued 'fake SC caste certificates' in parts of North Karnataka because of sharing a common caste name. Last November, the Siddaramiah government constituted the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission on internal reservation for the SCs. Kharge's remarks came even as this Commission is supervising a state-wide survey of the SC sub-castes being carried out by the government since May 5. The internal SC survey is based on the Commission's interim report submitted to the government last month, which found that there was no empirical data on various SC sub-castes including the SC(left), SC(right), touchables and others. Kharge also warned the government that the KSCBC's caste survey report, which is currently being discussed by the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, would 'cause problems in the entire state if the exercise was carried out just to take credit'. 'I want to say something clearly. Do the survey. But it should be done properly and Rahul Gandhi should not get a bad name out of this,' he said. At its last meeting on May 9, the Siddaramaiah Cabinet had again deferred any decision on the caste survey to facilitate more extensive discussions among the ministers on the issue. In the April 18 special Cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah directed all his 34 ministers to provide their opinions on the report in writing for a thorough discussion. However, only about 12 ministers have given their opinions so far. There is a strong push from the Congress's OBC leaders for the government to accept the report which indicates that 70% of the state population belongs to the OBCs. There has however been resistance from the state's dominant communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas – and their leaders including those in the Congress – to the caste survey, which has put their populations to be 13.6% and 12.2% – lesser than their estimated populations of 15% and 17% respectively.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
When it comes to the nation, we are all one: Karnataka minister Laxmi Hebbalkar
Udupi: When the nation is at stake, we are all one. If an enemy nation wages war against us, we must face it together in unity, said Laxmi Hebbalkar , minister for women and child visiting the renowned Hosamarigudi Temple in Kaup and offering prayers on Saturday, the minister highlighted that our Belagavi's daughter-in-law, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, is briefing the media everyday about Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. "This is indeed a matter of pride. She is the pride of Karnataka ," she told light of the tense situation between India and Pakistan, a district-level officials' meeting will be called in Udupi on Sunday. Precautionary measures were already taken, and officials will be instructed to remain vigilant, the minister to a media question about some individuals from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts spreading messages on social media that demoralise soldiers, the minister stated that such anti-social elements should not exist in decision by Lingayat ministersRegarding the caste census, seven Lingayat ministers reached a consensus and decided to draft a letter with their decision, which will be signed by all and submitted to the chief minister, the minister district minister of Udupi was honoured by the temple administration. Temple renovation committee president Vasudev Shetty and MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme were present.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Only 11 ministers give opinion, cabinet defers decision on caste census as others seek more time
Bengaluru: The cabinet Friday deferred a decision on the contentious socio-economic and educational survey (caste census) report, as several ministers sought more discussions on it in the wake of concerns raised by politically significant communities about their population the report, which the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes submitted to the govt in Feb 2024, was presented to the cabinet on April 11 this year, ministers were given a concise version. Sources say only 11 ministers gave their opinion on the report at Friday's meeting, while others sought more time. This forced chief minister Siddaramaiah to defer the matter to the next cabinet meeting, tentatively fixed for May some ministers reportedly objected to inadequacy of information in the concise version of the report, the backward classes welfare department decided to provide more details. All ministers were given the second volume of the report on Friday, which contains detailed data up to taluk and CM directed ministers, especially those in charge of districts, to study the report in detail and give their views at the next cabinet ministers say the govt's move to defer a decision on the report was expected since the cabinet is divided on its findings. Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list Politically dominant Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities have objected to the report, claiming that their population figures were undercounted, while those of select communities are inflated. Deputy chief minister and Vokkaliga DK Shivakumar himself reportedly conveyed reservations about the report at the communities, including Brahmins, Vaishyas, Bunts, and Kodavas, have also objected to the report and, together with Lingayats and Vokkaligas, have urged the govt to scrap it. Several ministers representing these communities advised Siddaramaiah to keep the census in abeyance and wait for the national caste census announced by the and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil, who briefed reporters, said the govt is ready to accommodate concerns of all communities, and these issues will be deliberated in detail in the next cabinet meeting.
