Karnataka Government to Reconsider SC Job Quota Implementation Amid Political Pressure
The Siddaramaiah-led government in Karnataka has decided to revisit its earlier decision to fill 56,432 government posts without implementing internal reservation within the Scheduled Caste (SC) quota. This move comes under immense pressure from Left sect SC communities and two of its own ministers, who have threatened to quit if their demands are not met.
Cabinet to Deliberate on Pro Rata Internal Reservation
The state cabinet is expected to deliberate on introducing pro rata internal reservation within the existing 15% SC quota at a meeting scheduled for Thursday. This development follows days after Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot granted assent to the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Classification Bill 2025, which provides for internal quotas among SC communities.
The bill, passed in December last year, proposes to enhance the overall reservation for SCs from 15% to 17% and divide it among 101 SC communities. Governor Gehlot's assent came after huge protests in Dharwad by job aspirants who demanded the government fill nearly 2.5 lakh vacancies across various departments.
Recruitment has largely been frozen since October 2024 to facilitate the implementation of the internal quota system. Under the 17% structure outlined in the bill signed by Gehlot, the Left sect (comprising 16 communities) would receive 6% under Category A, the Right sect (19 communities) 6% under Category B, and 63 communities 5% under Category C.
Legal Hurdles and Government Notification
However, this proposed matrix breaches the overall 50% ceiling on total reservation decreed by the Supreme Court, and a case disputing it is currently pending in court. In response, the government issued a notification to fill 56,432 posts under the existing 15% SC quota without internal reservation, clarifying that the enhanced 17% quota would be implemented in recruitments only after a decision by the court.
This notification triggered sharp reactions from stakeholders. Some ministers from the Left sect reportedly threatened to resign if positions are filled without internal reservation. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is learned to have pacified them and asked them to wait for the cabinet's decision.
Ministers Voice Concerns and Call for Patience
On Tuesday, Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa and Excise Minister RB Timmapur, both from the Left sect, held a press conference and stated that Thursday's cabinet decision would determine their future course of action. They explained that the decision to revert to the 15% structure followed protests by general category job aspirants in Dharwad.
"However, we made it quite clear that the 15% SC quota needs to have internal reservation," the ministers said, distancing themselves from the government order. "The cabinet will decide on a proportional internal reservation for 15% quota until the courts decide on the enhanced 17% quota under the new Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Classification Bill 2025. We urge our communities to be patient."
Minister Timmapur indicated that under the 15% structure, the Left and Right sects may each receive 5%, nomadic and semi-nomadic communities 1%, and touchable communities 4%.
Protests and Community Reactions
Meanwhile, the Madiga Dandora Samiti has called for a statewide protest on Friday and a day-night agitation from March 12 if internal reservation is not granted. Ambanna Arolikar, a samiti member, stated, "We will not be bogged down by setbacks created by uncertainties within the government. This time we are committed to getting our rights as the Supreme Court and the law is in our favour."
The situation highlights the complex interplay between political pressure, legal constraints, and social justice demands in Karnataka's reservation policy. The upcoming cabinet meeting is poised to be a critical juncture in resolving this contentious issue.
