Internal quota: Karnataka Cabinet orders 60-day survey of Scheduled Castes

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet ordered Thursday a survey of all Scheduled Castes in the state, in what will be a mini Census of sorts to collect empirical data for the purpose of sub-classifying them and providing internal reservation.

After the August 2024 Supreme Court ruling allowing states to sub-classify SCs, the Congress government is under immense pressure to provide internal reservation, which is also a pre-poll promise.

The decision for a fresh survey is based on a recommendation by the Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission, which submitted its interim report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah just before the Cabinet meeting.

The Commission, tasked with deciding on internal reservation, recommended the collection of empirical data through a survey, which it said was necessary to "scientifically" categorize the SCs. The Commission added the survey can be completed in 30-40 days using modern scientific and technological advancements.

"While the Commission says that the survey can be done in 30-40 days, more time may be required for preparatory work. So, the Cabinet has decided that the survey should be completed within 60 days," Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said.

In Karnataka, Scheduled Castes constitute about 17% of the population across 101 groups. Traditionally, they are seen as divided into two groups: Dalit Left and Dalit Right. The Dalit Left leaders, who have been rallying for sub-classification, argue that most of the reservation benefits are cornered by the Dalit Right.

The survey, which will have an estimated 40,000 enumerators, will be overseen by the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission, whose term has been extended by two months.

Crucially, the survey will settle disputes due to nomenclatures."Lakhs of respondents, in the 2011 Census, have identified themselves as either SC, Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida or Adi Andhra. These four categories don't categorically represent either Dalit Left or Dalit Right," a senior official explained.

"In certain parts of the state, Adi Karnataka is considered Dalit Left while Adi Dravida would be Dalit Right. This is the other way around in other parts of the state. Therefore, without collecting data on the sub-castes, it's not possible to determine what proportion of the SC population is Dalit Left," the official said.

Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa insisted that the survey can be completed in 60 days. "We need data that's scientific," he said, adding that Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Haryana have "landed in court" for the lack of empirical data.