CM Establishes Permanent SC Commission for Periodic Categorisation Reviews

Quick Summary

• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the formation of a Permanent Commission for Scheduled Castes to review categorization periodically based on mobility and data.
• Karnataka Cabinet reduced the caste categories from five to three:

– Category A: Dalit Left (Madigas) with 6% reservation.
– Category B: Dalit Right (Holeyas) with 6% reservation, adjusted from the initial recommendation of 5%.
– Category C: “Touchables” (Lambani, Bhovi, Korma, Korcha & other microscopic communities), raised to a 5% quota from the earlier recommended allocation of 4%.

• Cases against activists advocating for internal reservation will be withdrawn; halted recruitment processes and eligibility age criteria will be relaxed as a one-time measure.
• The Cabinet followed Supreme Court guidelines for internal reservations and aims at achieving social justice via adjustments informed by upcoming national census data.
• Opposition parties BJP-JD(S) protested in Assembly against not being allowed to seek clarifications about the decision; they staged walkouts accusing chief Minister Siddaramaiah of evading accountability after making his statement.
• Law Minister H.K Patil called their walkout “political drama,” asserting broad community approval for internal reservations.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Karnataka government’s modifications to caste category allocations reflect an attempt at social recalibration designed to address long-standing demands within Scheduled Caste communities while adhering to judicial directives. the establishment of a Permanent Commission provides institutional continuity in assessing these dynamic divisions based on shifts in societal patterns or data availability.

While categorized simplification may streamline policy implementation, issues pertaining to proper depiction remain sensitive due to divergent perspectives within caste groups-a point underscored by opposition reactions during legislative discussions. The divide between political parties over procedural clarity highlights broader tensions around balancing governance-driven equity initiatives with public accountability mechanisms.

As census results may further shape future caste-based policies, cautious optimism exists around whether such measures can effectively deliver sustainable enhancement rather than merely redistributing existing quotas among different subgroups without addressing underlying systemic inequalities.Read more: The Hindu