Did the Congress Government Categorize SC Subcastes for Political Gains?

Bengaluru, Sep 2 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has characterized the classification of subcastes within the Scheduled Caste (SC) community by the Congress-led government as politically motivated, insisting that either the judicial commission report or the J.C. Madhuswamy sub-committee report be enacted. The classification aims to provide internal reservations.

During a press briefing at the BJP state office 'Jagannath Bhavan' in Bengaluru on Tuesday, former Deputy Chief Minister and MP Govind Karjol called for a state cabinet meeting on September 4. He emphasized that either Justice Nagamohan Das’s report or the Madhuswamy committee’s findings should be validated to guarantee social justice for all.

Karjol pointed out that nomadic communities have faced injustice, announcing protests throughout the state, including Bengaluru, on Wednesday (September 3).

He accused the government of neglecting the Supreme Court directive that prohibits placing equals and unequals in the same category, as well as disregarding Justice Nagamohan Das’s findings. “What they have executed is a politically motivated classification,” he asserted.

Karjol claimed that the classification was executed for political advantage, which is unacceptable.

He criticized the government for hastily commencing the recruitment process and instructing the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) to initiate appointments amidst this turmoil.

“The recruitment process must cease, and the directive should be modified to encompass jobs, education, and grants,” he stressed.

Karjol proposed that the Siddaramaiah government assemble a special meeting with all elected representatives from various parties. Additionally, retired officials and experts knowledgeable in reservations should be invited. “If decisions are made in such a meeting, they will gain universal acceptance,” he added.

Recalling the initiatives of the BJP government led by then CM Basavaraj Bommai, Karjol noted that the report produced by the Madhuswamy committee was broadly accepted by all communities. According to it, Madigas received 6%, Chalavadis obtained 5.5%, while Lambanis, Bhovis, Koramas, and Korachas received 4.5%, and nomadic communities were allocated 1%. “However, the Siddaramaiah government squandered Rs 150 crore on preparing Justice Nagamohan Das’s report, only to insult him. By wasting Rs 150 crore of taxpayers’ money, they have inflicted significant damage on the state exchequer,” Karjol alleged.

He also claimed that prior to the cabinet meeting, Home Minister G. Parameshwara conducted a late-night discussion at his residence, resulting in a biased decision. “Parameshwara, Ministers Shivraj Tangadagi, and H.C. Mahadevappa expressed satisfaction, and Minister H.K. Patil confirmed this cabinet decision to the media. We cannot accept this cabinet resolution,” he stated.

He further mentioned that for over 35 years, there has been a demand for internal reservation in the state to benefit 101 Scheduled Caste communities. “The Siddaramaiah government has sabotaged this demand and undermined the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench ruling of August 1, 2024,” he claimed.

Karjol asserted that under political pressure during the special cabinet session, Siddaramaiah disregarded Nagamohan Das’s report.

“Instead, he divided communities into three groups, allocating Group A - 6%, Group B - 6%, and Group C - 5%. Nagamohan Das had proposed five groups -- Madigas, 6%; Chalavadis, 5%; Lambanis, Bhovis, Koramas, Korachas, 4%; nomads, 1%; and AKADs, 1%. His report was aligned with the Constitutional Bench ruling, scientifically sound, and socially inclusive,” Karjol stated.

Former Union Minister A. Narayanaswamy criticized the internal reservation implementation as being directionless and devoid of meaning.

He lamented that the three-and-a-half-decade-long fight of the Madiga community for justice has been diminished to nothing.

“It is Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who has derailed Justice Nagamohan Das’s report. He dismissed the five groups proposed by Nagamohan Das, overlooked backwardness, and betrayed the nomadic communities by merging them with touchable castes,” he charged.

“Internal reservation has been executed in a senseless way. Chief Minister, have you adhered to the directives of the Supreme Court and the intentions of Justice Nagamohan Das?” he questioned.

“Do not thwart the aspirations of the Madiga community by betraying their dreams. Deliver justice in the cabinet meeting,” he insisted, warning that if their demands are not met, a renewed Madiga movement will arise.

“We will initiate a larger protest and ensure lessons are learned,” he further cautioned.

BJP state spokesperson H. Venkatesh Dodderi, SC Morcha state vice-president Hoodi Manjunath, and retired IAS officers Anil Kumar and Lakshminarayan were present.