C S Dwarkanath
Credit: Special Arrangement
AICC president Mallikarjuna Kharge’s diktat to state Congress leaders that those submitting fake caste certificates for various purposes must be imprisoned has brought the focus back on a contentious issue.
Addressing a party rally in Hosapete recently, Kharge said: “How was it that 5,000 people now became 4-5 lakh? If Lingayat Jangamas are included in the SCs’ list, it will go against the untouchable SCs. Those who give false certificates have to be arrested first and probed.”
Kharge’s reaction was triggered by an exponential increase in the population of the Beda Jangamas (SC) from 5,141 during the 1961 census to 4,10,804 during the Social and Educational Survey (caste census) in 2015. As per the caste census, there were 1,40,157 Lingayat Jangamas under Beduva Jangama, Jangama and Lingayat Jangama categories.
Former backward classes commission chairman C S Dwarkanath told DH: “There are no similarities between the developed Lingayat Jangamas and the nomadic Beda – Buduga Jangamas. Lingayats shouldn’t benefit from these SC certificates. Since the term Beda Jangama is causing an issue, categorising these SCs as merely Buduga Jangama can reduce faking”.
Sources told DH that tahsildars who provide caste certificates have practical difficulties as they deal with numerous cases simultaneously.
“Beda Jangamas (SC) are there only in some taluks. If the authorities have this knowledge and know the fundamental differences between Lingayat Jangamas and SC Jangamas (SC Jangamas are basically from Andhra Pradesh and are non-vegetarians, while Lingayat Jangamas are Kannada speakers and vegetarians), this problem can greatly be reduced,” they said.
Faking caste certificates has been seen across communities. In coastal region, OBC Mogers have taken Moger (SC) caste certificates, while some Kurubas have availed of Jenu Kuruba and Kaadu Kuruba certificates (Scheduled Tribes). There have also been instances of Lingayat Sadars and Ganigas (3B category) obtaining certificates as Hindu Sadar and Ganiga (2A category).
According to data from the directorate of civil rights enforcement (DCRE) which DH has accessed, 1,227 cases related to fake caste certificates have been registered in the state in six different ranges. While 94 cases were stayed, 166 resulted in acquittals. There were convictions in 25 cases.
Sources in the social welfare department told DH that 198 cases were pending at the district level, with Uttara Kannada topping the list with 101 cases.
Most cases in Uttara Kannada are of Moger community (OBC) people obtaining Moger (SC) certificates. In many cases, there are stays from the High Court, due to which further investigation by DCs wouldn’t have been possible, sources said.
Several public personalities have been embroiled in such controversies.
Suma Vasanth
Congress leader Suma Vasanth was accused of obtaining a fake caste certificate and contesting from Virajpet - then a reserved constituency. The complainant Mahadevappa had alleged that Suma had falsely claimed to be a Maratha (ST) from Kodagu. However, Suma won the case in court.
Renukacharya
In March 2022, former minister and BJP leader M P Renukacharya found himself in the eye of a storm when he confessed in the Assembly that his daughter – a Lingayat – had obtained an SC certificate. While the Congress slammed Renukacharya, the BJP government sought to distance itself from the issue.
Mankal Vaidya
On May 15, 2025, the Karnataka SC and ST Reservation Protection Forum, Bhatkal, accused Fisheries Minister Mankal Vaidya – a Moger (OBC) – of faking his identity and obtaining a caste certificate as Moger (SC).
The Mogers, an OBC caste falling under category 1, are professional fishermen, while Mogers (SC) are rabbit-hunters.
Kempaiah
Retired IPS officer Kempaiah was accused of obtaining a certificate as a Jenu Kuruba (ST), despite being a Kuruba (OBC). However, the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) closed the complaint after receiving a report from the DCRE that he was a Kadu Kuruba.
Sources said a couple of bureaucrats had also obtained certificates as Hindu Ganiga (OBC 2A), despite hailing from Lingayat Ganiga (OBC 3B) community.
According to the Karnataka SC, ST and OBCs (Reservation of Appointment) Act, 1990, the district caste verification committees (DCVCs) are authorised to verify the authenticity of caste certificates of those claiming reservation benefits.
Following an amendment to the Act in 2011, DCVCs have been conferred certain powers of the civil court.
“Tahsildars who knowingly provide fake caste certificates should be criminally prosecuted. If proven guilty, they must be given a three-year prison term,” said sources.
Quote -
There are no similarities between the developed Lingayat Jangamas and the nomadic Beda – Buduga Jangamas. Lingayats shouldn’t benefit from these SC certificates. Since the term Beda Jangama is causing an issue categorising these SCs as merely Buduga Jangama can reduce faking
— C S Dwarkanath, Former chairman Backward classes commission