Karnataka: Former KPSC member demands implementation of internal quota for SC communities

Mysuru: Former member of Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Dasaiah has appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking implementation of internal quota in reservation for Scheduled Caste communities carefully, on the basis of the recent Supreme Court order.

Addressing a media conference here on Tuesday, Dasaiah, who is touring all districts of Karnataka to create awareness among the people about the pros and cons of internal quota and the need to implement it in a scientific way, said that the apex court has ruled that it is the duty and responsibility of State governments to implement internal quota.

Dasaiah said, as per the court order, the State government has to justify sub-classification on the basis of empirical data regarding the inadequacy of representation of sub-castes. “The basis of sub-classification has to be justified by quantifiable data. The State cannot act on its whims or political expediency and its decision is amenable to judicial review. The government should understand that heterogeneity exists within the Scheduled Castes,” he said.

“There are 101 castes under the SC list classified into two groups - Right Hand and Left Hand. Among them, Holeya and Madiga castes were kept out of the four-varna system. Fortunately, the Wadiyar Maharajas of the Yadu dynasty were progressive and provided reservation in education and jobs in 1918 itself, on the basis of the Millers Commission report. These two castes and a few more castes were classified as Adi Karnataka for Kannadigas and Adi Dravida for Tamils from 1925, following an order of the Madras Presidency in 1922, to ban the use of the terms Holeya and Madiga,” he recalled.

“Following unification, parts of Kodagu, Madras and Bombay presidencies and Nizam’s Hyderabad state joined the erstwhile Mysuru state. Thus, more castes and classifications from these parts came under the SC list. Kannada Moger also joined the list and most of the Tamils were enlisted as ADs. This aspect of identification of specific castes has been discussed in the A J Sadashiva Commission report. These problems should be solved before implementing the internal quota,” Dasaiah said.

Treasurer of the Jai Bheem Samajika Parivarthan Vedike Naveen Maniya was also present at the media conference.