Karnataka | Internal quota: Alemaris term revised formula ‘social injustice’

Bengaluru: The state government’s ‘pragmatic’ decision to recalibrate reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) from 17 per cent to 15 per cent as per the 5.25 - 5.25 - 4.5 formula has disappointed the nomadic (alemari) communities, which has been fighting for over 8 months for a separate 1 per cent quota share.

Accordingly, Group A including Madiga and 15 communities will get 5.25 per cent, Group B including Holeya and 18 communities will get 5.25 per cent, while Group C including Lambani, Bhovi, Korma and Korcha and 59 ‘most backward’ communities will get 4.5 per cent.

The decision continues the spirit of the state government’s 6-6-5 formula (17 per cent) for internal reservation, which was challenged in the High Court by the Confederation of Untouchable Nomadic Communities of Karnataka.

Just as in the 6-6-5 formula, the three major SC groups - SC (left)/ Madiga, SC (Right)/ Holeya and the group comprising Lambani, Bhovi, Korma and Korcha communities - have obtained their specific share within the new pie, while the nomadic communities - which have a population of 5.22 lakh - continue to be denied their share. The Alemari communities have slammed the replacement of the 1-6-5-4-1 formula of the Justice H N Nagamohan Das Commission report (1 per cent for 59 ‘most backward’ communities, 6 per cent for Madiga and 17 affiliated ‘more backward’ communities, 5% for Holeya and 16 affiliated ‘backward’ communities, 4 per cent for Lambani, Bhovi, Korma and Korcha communities defined as less backward and 1 per cent for the Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida and Adi Andhra communities) with the 6-6-5 formula terming it as “unscientific.”

Despite modifications in the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-Classification) Bill, 2025, which guarantees the 1 per cent share for Alemaris within Group C, Alemari community leaders and social justice proponents have slammed the very decision to club the ‘less backward’ Lambani, Bhovi, Korma and Korcha communities with the 59 ‘most backward communities’ as “social injustice.”

Experts have argued that the plight of the nomadic communities is linked to their lack of political representation. While the other three SC communities have representation within the Cabinet, the nomadic communities do not have any representation. 

In fact, Kolar MLA Kothur Manjunath from the Congress is the only representative of the 59 ‘most backward’ communities in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly (224 seats overall).

50% quota cap

The current decision follows the High Court’s directive to not cross the 50 per cent ceiling for reservations set by the Supreme Court in the Indra Sawhney Case in 1992.

While the government has continued its ‘pragmatic’ stance on the issue, the decision to include internal reservation while recruiting 56,432 jobs may help the more backward communities amongst SCs. 

Additionally, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced that the 20 per cent share for the Alemari communities within group C will also be continued in the current 4.5 per cent basket. Advocate H V Manjunath chastised the decision to provide 20 per cent reservation for the nomadic communities within group C as an “eyewash.”

Sources told DH that the Alemari community was likely to move the High Court, again, over the same claim - the government neglecting inter-se backwardness while providing internal reservation.