Activists Begin Indefinite Protest for Internal Quota Among SCs

Fast Summary

• Kariyappa Gudimani, leader of the Committee for Internal Reservations among Scheduled Castes, announced an indefinite agitation at Freedom Park in Bengaluru starting Monday.
• The protest aims to urge the Karnataka State government to implement internal reservation policies among Scheduled Caste communities.
• He cited the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission report recommending internal reservation and stressed that it is now up to the government to act.
• Mr. Gudimani criticized successive governments for neglecting this issue while welcoming last year’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of internal reservations.
• He insisted that implementation would ensure equitable justice for oppressed and underrepresented communities within SCs and called on all political parties to collaborate during the upcoming monsoon session of the Legislature.
• An appeal was made for public participation from across Karnataka to strengthen support.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The indefinite agitation highlights a long-contentious issue within India’s affirmative action framework-internal reservations within Scheduled Castes (SCs). Such measures, backed by reports like Justice Nagamohan Das commission’s recommendations and upheld by a recent Supreme Court ruling, aim to address disparities among subgroups within SCs. While proponents argue this ensures justice for more marginalized SC groups, accomplished implementation requires notable legislative effort and commitment from political parties. For karnataka’s Congress-led government, responding effectively could demonstrate progressiveness but might invite scrutiny from various stakeholders with differing perspectives on resource allocation within SC quotas. The mass mobilization planned also indicates increasing grassroots pressure that could shape policymaking significantly in coming sessions.Link: Read More