Karnataka Government to Finalize Internal Reservation for Scheduled Castes
In a significant development, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has declared that the state government will make a decisive move on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs) at the next cabinet meeting, expected later this week. This announcement comes as the government indicates that a broad consensus has been achieved, with only technical aspects requiring finalization.
Consensus Over Factionalism
Parameshwara firmly dismissed any speculation about divisions within the ruling Congress party regarding this issue. He emphasized that differing opinions within the party should not be misinterpreted as factionalism. "Not two, not three—there are no factions at all," Parameshwara stated on Monday. "Different people express different opinions. Just because someone expresses an opinion, it does not mean it is factionalism."
Background and Proportional Distribution
The discussions center on working out a proportional distribution of reservation after the overall quota was reduced from 56% to 50%, following court directives. Parameshwara recalled that after the Justice Nagamohan Das report was submitted, the government had initially retained the 56% base and established three categories for internal reservation:
- 6% for SC Left
- 6% for SC Right
- 5% for 'touchables' or other communities
He noted that this matrix did not face opposition at the time. However, the court later ruled that reservation cannot exceed 50%, aligning with the ceiling set in the Indra Sawhney case. "Based on that order, the matrix drawn up earlier needs to be recalculated proportionately after bringing total reservation down to 50%," Parameshwara explained.
Preventing Confusion and Community Inclusivity
The government is actively working to prevent any confusion in the roster system or in promotions once the revised formula is implemented. Parameshwara highlighted that the issue involves several communities, including Bhovis, Lambanis, Korachas, Koramas, and nomadic groups. Discussions have also been held on providing a separate reservation for nomadic communities. "We will take all these aspects into account before arriving at a decision," he assured.
Impact on Government Recruitment
Addressing concerns that the issue could affect government recruitment, Parameshwara clarified that the matter is purely technical. He revealed that the government has already decided to fill more than 56,000 posts. "When we issue a notification, we must clearly specify reservation categories," he said. "We cannot announce reservation after a notification. For example, if we announce 10,000 posts, we must say beforehand how many posts go to which category. We are currently working out these details."
Political Accusations and Recent Developments
Parameshwara accused the opposition BJP and its ally JD(S) of attempting to derive political advantage from the issue. In a related development, the home minister, who belongs to the Right sect of Dalits, recently visited Left sect minister KH Muniyappa's residence to wish him on his birthday. During this visit, the two also discussed the internal reservation matter, further underscoring the collaborative efforts within the government.
