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The Print
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Karnataka announces door-to-door collection of data on SCs even as fate of OBC survey still unclear
Over 65,000 teachers will be roped in as enumerators with one supervisor assigned for every 10-12 surveyors. A sum of Rs 100 crore will be spent on the exercise. SCs form 17.15 percent of Karnataka's population, according to the 2011 Census. The census will be headed by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government appointed one- member commission under Justice (retired) Nagamohan Das between 5 and 23 May in three phases that include door-to-door collection of data, special training camp and online self-declaration camps. Bengaluru: The Karnataka government Monday commenced its ambitious census of the Scheduled Caste (SC) population to gather empirical data on sub-caste demographics and to help implement internal reservation among marginalised groups. There are 101 communities or sub-groups within the SC population in Karnataka. 'In these 101 communities, to give internal reservation, we need exact data,' Siddaramaiah told reporters Monday in Bengaluru. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling on 1 August 2024, allowing states to introduce internal quotas for SCs based on empirical evidence. He added that without empirical data, it would be difficult to ascertain if these sub-groups belong to 'left, right' or any other umbrella groups. He said that there was no official data on the population of groups like Adi-Dravida, Adi-Karnataka or Adi-Andhra or any others. Several people, he said, would have listed themselves under different groups that make it difficult to provide reservation-related benefits or even determine the exact population. 'This survey ensures no community is left behind in Karnataka's development journey,' Siddaramaiah added. The Nagamohan Das Commission is expected to submit the report within 60 days after the completion of all three phases of the exercise. The government is undertaking the census of the SCs at a time when its caste census has been shrouded in uncertainty. Siddaramaiah commissioned the survey in 2015 during his first term as CM. But the report was never accepted until early last year and its findings are yet to be officially released. The state government is scheduled to meet 9 May again to deliberate on the findings of the caste census but the CM has faced many challenges in releasing them, so far. Siddaramaiah's deputy and several other ministers have openly asked for the census report to be scrapped since it seemingly does not represent their true population figures. Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, said that the 2015 caste census and the exercise being carried out now are 'not related'. Also Read: Hindu activist's death latest in a long list of tit-for-tat killings. Mangaluru is a communal tinderbox 'Left, right, touchables & others' In March 2023, former CM Basavaraj Bommai announced internal reservations ahead of the assembly elections that year. The SC (Left) category was entitled to get 6 percent, SC (Right) 5.5 percent, 4.5 percent for 'touchables', and 1 percent for 'others', Bommai had said. Soon after the announcement was made, members of prominent SC communities pelted stones at home in Shivamogga to express their anger over the capping on reservation benefits. Bommai had also taken the decision to remove Muslims from the backward classes list and redistribute the 4 percent reservation under 2B to Vokkaligas and Lingayats in two newly carved out categories. Both proposals were challenged politically, legally and by members of the very communities he was trying to placate. Internal reservation has been a key contention in Karnataka with several communities within the SC umbrella supposedly eating up the majority of the benefits. After several years of protests by SC groups demanding reservations within reservations, in 2005, the then Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government appointed a commission led by retired high court judge A.J. Sadashiva to look into the equitable distribution of reservation benefits among SCs. The commission filed its report in 2012, recommending that the 101 caste and sub-caste groups among the SCs be divided into 'left', 'right', 'touchables' and 'others'. The 'left-right' dichotomy, found in Karnataka and other parts of south India, is rooted in historical divisions among SC groups. The term 'touchables', meanwhile, refers to historically disadvantaged communities—the major groups being Banjaras, Bhovis, Korachas and Koramas—who were included alongside 'untouchables' in the depressed classes list of the erstwhile state of Mysore, and later incorporated into the SC list. Politically, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have drawn support from various groups and have attempted to reach out to those who don't. Congress national president Mallikarjuna Kharge is from the Holeya community, which is considered 'Right', and Karnataka cabinet minister is from the Madiga community, classified as 'left'. Communities like Banjara, Bhovi, Korcha and Kurmi are classified as 'touchables' and around 89 groups come in the 'others' category', according to the state government. There are 21 caste groups that come under SC (right), and 25 in SC (left), according to experts. The Sadashiva Commission's survey—assessing the socio-economic situation of 96.6 lakh SC people—reportedly found that the 'left' communities account for about 33.47 percent of the SC population, 'right' communities for 32 percent, 'touchables' for 23.64 percent and 'others' for 4.65 percent. Many survey respondents reportedly refused to answer, so the figures don't add up to 100 percent. It estimated that there are about 25 'right-hand' communities and 20 'left-hand' ones. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: 'Won't be surprised if Prajwal is welcomed with garlands' — 1 yr on, victims still hiding
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Karnataka Begins Statewide Caste Census for Scheduled Castes
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Monday launched a comprehensive caste census targeting Scheduled Castes (SCs) to gather empirical data on sub-caste demographics. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, addressing a press conference, said the exercise aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits and uphold social justice. The survey, which will run from May 5 to May 17, will be conducted in three phases: door-to-door visits, special camps, and an online self-declaration option. A one-member commission headed by retired High Court Judge Nagamohan Das will oversee the process. "The government is committed to implementing internal reservation within SC communities based on accurate data," Siddaramaiah said. "The 2011 census lacked detailed sub-caste information, making this exercise necessary for fair policy decisions." Over 65,000 teachers have been deployed as enumerators, with one supervisor assigned for every 10-12 surveyors. Citizens are urged to provide correct sub-caste details either during home visits, at designated camps (May 19-21), or via online submission (May 19-23). The move follows a Supreme Court ruling on August 1, 2024, allowing states to introduce internal quotas for SCs based on empirical evidence. The Nagamohan Das Commission had earlier stressed the need for verified population data before such implementation. The commission is expected to submit its report within 60 days of data collection, after which the government will finalize reservation policies. A dedicated helpline (94813/59000) has been set up for public queries. "This survey ensures no community is left behind in Karnataka's development journey," the CM added. Mobile app Survey has also been allowed through the mobile app. The mobile app has been enabled from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm. No one from the Scheduled Caste community should miss this. We had also announced the implementation of the report in our election manifesto. The Supreme Court also said in favor of internal reservation. We had also promised internal reservation to community organizations and leaders. Therefore, the Chief Minister requested them to fully participate in the data collection survey and provide information. The CM also requested all organizations to cooperate in this. Ministers H C Mahadevappa, K H Muniyappa, Shivraj Tangadgi, Shivanand Patil, Chief Secretary to the Government Shalini Rajneesh, MLAs Roopshashikal, Legislative Council members Sudama Das, Naseer Ahmed and many other prominent people were present.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Committed to the implementation of internal reservation in Karnataka, survey to be held in three phases: CM Siddaramaiah
Reiterating his government's commitment to provide internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, as declared in the 2023 election manifesto, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the comprehensive caste survey targeting Scheduled Castes (SCs) to gather empirical data on sub-caste demographics, in Bengaluru on May 5, 2025. Addressing the media, he said the exercise would be held in three stages, and aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits and to uphold social justice. A one-member commission headed by retired High Court Judge Nagamohan Das will oversee the process. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, K.H. Muniyappa, Political Secretary Nasir Ahmed and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh were also present. Three phases The survey will be held between May 5 and May 23, in three different ways to ensure all members of the SC population are covered. May 5 to May 17: door-to-door visits May 19 to May 20: special camps May 19 to May 23: online self-declaration option 'The government is committed to implementing internal reservation within SC communities based on accurate data,' Siddaramaiah said. 'The 2011 census lacked detailed sub-caste information, making this exercise necessary for fair policy decisions.' 'Over 65,000 teachers have been deployed as enumerators, with one supervisor assigned for every 10-12 surveyors,' the CM said, urging citizens to provide correct sub-caste details either during home visits, at designated camps, or via online submission. Why internal reservation The move follows a Supreme Court ruling on August 1, 2024, allowing states to introduce internal quotas for SCs based on empirical evidence. The Nagamohan Das Commission had earlier stressed the need for verified population data before such implementation. The commission is expected to submit its report within 60 days of data collection, after which the government will finalise reservation policies. A dedicated helpline (9481359000) has been set up for public queries. 'This survey ensures no community is left behind in Karnataka's development journey,' the CM added.
Hans India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Udupi to launch major caste survey for internal reservation mapping
Udupi: In a move aimed at aiding internal classification within Scheduled Castes, the Udupi district administration will launch an extensive door-to-door caste survey from May 5 to 17. The initiative is expected to generate crucial data for the Justice H N Nagamohan Das Commission, which is tasked with recommending sub-caste-wise reservation within the SC category. Announcing the initiative on Friday, Deputy Commissioner Vidyakumari K said the survey would cover all households, but those belonging to Scheduled Castes would be asked for more detailed information, including sub-caste, occupation, educational status, and property ownership. 'The information shared will help ensure that government benefits reach the deserving sections in a more targeted manner,' she said. Over 1,100 schoolteachers have been roped in and trained as enumerators for this task. They will collect information using a specially designed mobile application. Each batch of ten enumerators will be overseen by a supervisor, and officials will carry ID cards to ensure public confidence. The 2011 Census recorded about 75,000 SC residents in Udupi. The new survey aims to update and deepen this data, which is critical for shaping inclusive policies and refining welfare distribution models. The Nagamohan Das Commission is reportedly focusing on equitable reservation for the 101 SC sub-castes identified in Karnataka. District authorities have appealed for public cooperation during the enumeration. Officials say the success of this survey will directly influence policy decisions affecting some of the most marginalised communities in the state.
