By The News Observer Desk,
Karwar: As the Karnataka government moves ahead with implementing internal reservation (sub-quota) for Scheduled Castes (SC), the demand for similar internal reservation within Scheduled Tribes (ST) has gained fresh momentum and intensity. Citing the historic Supreme Court judgment, the “Scheduled Tribes Internal Reservation Agitation Committee” of Uttara Kannada district has strongly urged the state government to ensure justice for the most marginalised and voiceless sub-groups within the ST category.
Speaking at a press conference held in the city, Legislative Council member Shantaram Siddi said the Supreme Court’s landmark verdict delivered by a seven-judge Constitution Bench on August 1, 2024, is a major milestone on the path to social justice. The court has made it mandatory for governments to provide sub-classification and internal reservation within both Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. However, he expressed deep dissatisfaction that the present government has taken action only with regard to Scheduled Castes while completely ignoring the legitimate demands of Scheduled Tribes.
https://youtu.be/zGlglqBLmME
Injustice Highlighted Through Statistics
According to the 2011 Census, Karnataka has 50 Scheduled Tribe communities with a total population of 42.48 lakh.
- The Valmiki community alone accounts for 32.96 lakh.
- The remaining 49 communities together number only 9.52 lakh.
Shantaram Siddi pointed out that highly marginalised tribal groups such as Adiyan, Chenchu, Halakki, Kanikan, Paniyan, Siddi, Koraga, Jenukuruba, Medar, Hasalar, etc., remain virtually excluded from government jobs and higher education – their representation is still “limited to dreams”.
Key Demands of the Agitation Committee
The committee has placed three principal demands before the government:
- Immediate collection of accurate, caste-wise data required for implementing internal reservation, as directed by the Supreme Court.
- A scientific study of the backwardness, educational status, and economic condition of each ST sub-group, and constitution of a dedicated commission for this purpose without delay.
- Ending the injustice of clubbing unequals with equals in the same category – proper sub-classification must be carried out and reservation benefits distributed equitably.
Memorandum Submitted to Government
Following a decision taken by tribal leaders of the district, an official memorandum addressed to the government was submitted today through the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner received the memorandum positively and assured that necessary action would be initiated, sources said.
State committee members Nagesh Siddi, Uday Siddi, and others were present at the press conference.
Reporting and Videography by Saikiran Babrekar
