A report recommending internal reservation between Scheduled Castes (SC) in Karnataka was presented to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, thus the next step was marked in long-run demand by various sub-castes for equal access to the benefits of the state.
The report prepared by a commission led by retired High Court Judge HN Nagmohan Das extends up to 1,766 pages and is based on a survey conducted across the state. According to the state government, it consists of more than 10.7 million people out of 2.724 million SC houses. The findings of the panel are expected to be presented before the state cabinet during their meeting on Thursday.
After receiving the report in Bangalore, Siddaramaiah said, “There is a cabinet meeting on Thursday, where we will present it and take a decision.” He was accompanied by senior ministers including HC Mahadevappa, G Parameshwar, Priyank Kharge, Shivraj Tanggi and RB Thumampur.
The recommendations of the panel are expected to restructure the existing 17% reservation for SCS in public education and employment, distributing it among various sub-castes. These include Dalit Left (mainly Madigus), Dalit Wright (mainly holes), as well as Lambani, Bhowis, Korachas, Korma and many nomadic communities. “This report is an important milestone in the implementation of social justice, including the report, survey data and appendix,” Siddaramaiah wrote on social media after the meeting.
A member panel was formed soon after the Supreme Court retained the validity of internal reservation under Article 14 of the Constitution. The ruling states allowed to create sub-quotes within broader caste groups, which allowed Karnataka to re-look at a politically sensitive issue, which has shaken the debate over the years.
Speaking to the press after submitting the report, Justice Das said, “After analyzing the entire figures, the Commission has submitted its report to the Government of Karnataka. The report is about 1,766 pages. The survey was done through a mobile application.”
He said, “For a long time, it was my wish that Scheduled Castes worthy of internal reservation. I also recommended the government that internal reservation should be provided.”
The cabinet approved the functioning for the survey on 27 March, the day the interim report was submitted. The data collection was done from 5 May to 6 July, reaching more than 93% of the state’s estimated 11.6 million SC population. However, the survey coverage within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palik (BBMP) area was limited to 54%despite extensions.
Justice Das clarified that the report is now completely under the government. “This is the property of the state government. I have no control over it. Its content and the decision whether to accept it or reject it, completely rests with the state government,” he said.
While the entire content of the report has not been released, officials familiar with the matter said that there are six primary recommendations in it. The submission of the report has led to the fresh pressure to work on the government, especially from Dalit Left organizations, who have announced a series of protests starting on August 11 if the recommendations are not accepted.
Over the years, many groups, especially Madiga organizations, have argued that the benefits under the current quota system have largely moved to the Holya community, making other sub-castes in jobs, education and politics, according to the leaders about development.
The Commission’s report is expected to measure against the findings of the 2012 AG Sadashiv Commission, which recommended to divide 17% SC quota in 6% for SC-Left, 5.5% for SC-Right, 3% for the sub-species of SC-Right and 1% for others. However, that report was never implemented.
“This is a historic report. Justice Nagamohan Das Commission, which was assigned to study internal reservation, has submitted his report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. For the first time in the country, such a report has been prepared in an organized and scientific manner,” said the Home Minister G. Parmeshwar.
He said, “The Commission used modern technology and submitted the report within two months. We do not yet know what is in the report. CM Siddaramaiah has directed that it should be kept before the next cabinet meeting. Only then we will know its content, and will discuss its implementation.”
God also said, “The report should be accepted by the cabinet. It is not my decision, and even CM Siddaramaiah cannot decide alone.”
Kannada and Culture Minister Shivraj Tanggat said: “We are accepting the report. CM has called us to accept the report and discuss the action to be taken later. The CM will decide on the professionals and opposition of the report. There will be further discussion after the report is formally presented.”
Former Minister H. Anjaneya recalled the delay in implementing the previous reports and said, “We are curious and concerned about the report. Sadashiv Commission had earlier recommended 6%reservation. Madhuswami Cabinet Sub-Committee also proposed 6%. This commission is expected to recommend 6 to 7%.
Meanwhile, the state has prevented temporary recruitment processes to avoid legal complications before finalizing its policy response to recommendations.
