Internal SC Reservations: Cong’s Request Causes Uproar in K’taka

Current issue on Internal SC Reservations

The current status of the issue is that the Congress-led government in Karnataka has recently asked the Centre to amend Article 341 (3) of the Constitution to empower the states to implement internal reservations for SCs. This move came after the government faced protests from sections of the SC Left group, who accused the Congress of reneging on its poll promise of implementing the Justice AJ Sadashiva Commission report.

The Sadashiva Commission was set up in 2005 by the then Congress-JD(S) coalition government to examine the feasibility and modalities of sub-classifying SC reservation in Karnataka. The commission submitted its report in 2012, which recommended internal reservations among the SCs by reclassifying all the 101 castes into four groups: Right (6 percent), Left (8 percent), Touchables (1 percent) and other SCs (2 percent) within the existing 15 percent reservation for SCs in Karnataka.

The Congress had promised to implement this report during its campaign for the 2018 assembly elections, but after coming to power, it did not take any concrete steps to do so. Instead, it increased the overall reservation for SCs from 15 to 17 percent and for STs from 3 to 7 percent in December 2021, without addressing the issue of internal reservations.

This decision sparked resentment among sections of the SC Left group, who staged a massive rally in Bengaluru on January 14, 2024, demanding the implementation of the Sadashiva Commission report. They alleged that the Congress had betrayed them and favoured only the SC Right group, which is considered to be its vote bank.

Background of Internal SC Reservations

The issue of internal reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka has been a contentious one for decades. The SCs in the state are divided into four groups: Right, Left, Touchables and other SCs. The Right and Left groups are further sub-divided into 36 and 50 castes respectively, while the Touchables and other SCs comprise 15 castes.

The Right group, which includes castes such as Madiga, Adi Karnataka and Bhovi, claims that they are the most oppressed and marginalized among the SCs and deserve a higher share of reservation benefits. The Left group, which includes castes such as Holeya, Chalavadi and Samagara, argues that they are equally disadvantaged and discriminated against and should not be deprived of their rightful quota. The Touchables group, which includes castes such as Lambani, Korama and Heggade, contends that they are not untouchables and should not be clubbed with the SCs at all. The other SCs group, which includes castes such as Siddi, Iruliga and Jenu Kuruba, asserts that they have a distinct identity and culture and should be recognized as separate categories.

The demand for internal reservations among the SCs was first raised by the Justice Venkataswamy Commission in 1986, which recommended a 10 percent reservation for the Right group, 5 percent for the Left group and 2 percent each for the Touchables and other SCs groups within the existing 15 percent reservation for SCs in Karnataka. However, this report was never implemented by any government.

Political implications of Internal SC Reservations

The political fallout of this issue is that it has exposed the rift within the Congress as well as between the Congress and its allies. The Congress is divided between its chief minister Siddaramaiah, who belongs to the Kuruba caste (a backward class), and its state president DK Shivakumar, who belongs to the Vokkaliga caste (a dominant community). Siddaramaiah is seen as being sympathetic to the SC Right group, while Shivakumar is seen as being supportive of the SC Left group.

The Congress also faces opposition from its allies JD(S) and BSP, who have opposed any move to sub-classify SC reservation in Karnataka. They have argued that such a move would violate the Constitution and create divisions among the Dalits. They have also accused the Congress of playing caste politics to woo voters ahead of the assembly elections due in May 2024.

The BJP, on the other hand, has seized this opportunity to attack the Congress and project itself as a champion of Dalit rights. The BJP has claimed that it was during its rule in Karnataka from 2008 to 2013 that it revised the reservation for SCs from 15 to 17 percent and appointed Justice Sadashiva Commission to look into internal reservations. The BJP has also accused the Congress of misleading the Dalits and shifting the blame to the Centre for its own failure to implement the report.

The BJP has also tried to woo the SC Touchables group, which is said to be unhappy with the Congress for clubbing them with the SCs. The BJP has promised to grant them a separate category and reservation if it comes to power in Karnataka.

Possible solutions for Internal SC Reservations

The way forward for this issue is not clear as it involves legal, constitutional and political challenges. The Centre has not yet responded to the state government’s request to amend Article 341 (3) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to specify the castes, races or tribes that are deemed to be SCs. The Centre may not be keen to do so as it may open a Pandora’s box of similar demands from other states and communities.

The state government, meanwhile, has constituted a five-member cabinet sub-committee to make recommendations on providing internal reservation for SCs. The sub-committee is expected to study the Justice Sadashiva Commission report and other relevant reports and submit its report within three months. However, it is doubtful whether the sub-committee will be able to resolve the issue amicably as it may face opposition from various quarters.

The issue of internal reservations for SCs in Karnataka is likely to remain a contentious one until a consensus is reached among all the stakeholders and a constitutional amendment is made to enable it. Until then, it may continue to be a source of political turmoil and social unrest in the state.

Data and sources

According to the 2011 Census, the total population of Karnataka State is 6.11 crores, of which SC and ST constitute about 1.05 crores (17.15%) and 0.42 crores (6.95%), respectively. Out of the 30 districts, top five ST & SC dominant districts account for 35.39% of ST & 19.92% of SC population in Karnataka.