Some communities that fall under the state’s new policy of internal reservations for Scheduled Castes have expressed objections to the restructuring even as the government moves ahead with recruitment under the new framework.
The revised policy places the Amari (nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes) along with the Lambanis, Bovis, Kuramas and Korachas under a single 4.5% quota category, while providing an internal allocation of 20% for nomadic groups. Both sides within this category have raised concerns, arguing that the arrangement narrows rather than expands their access to government jobs.
Leaders representing Amari communities objected to grouping them with “relatively larger and better-represented classes,” saying this diluted their share despite internal allocation. Their demands are centered on a separate quota, as recommended by the Justice Nagmohan Das committee.
“The Prime Minister has cheated the nomadic communities by not fulfilling his promise of providing 1% reservation,” a Congress leader representing these groups said on condition of anonymity. “Getting a 20% share within the 4.5% reservation for C class is a lie.”
Meanwhile, Lambani and other “influential” communities within the same category have expressed unease about the 20% priority being given to nomadic groups, effectively reducing the number of jobs available to them when qualified candidates from the Amari tribes are present.
The tensions arose from a broader effort by the state government to divide the 15% Scheduled Castes quota into three parts: 5.25% for each of the two largest groups – the SC Left (including the Madiga and allied communities) and the SC Right (including the Hulia and allied communities) – and 4.5% for the third category which includes both nomadic and “textured” groups.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the move aims to address long-standing disparities among the 101 Scheduled Caste communities. “The party has committed to internal reservation through the Chitradurga Congress and the 2023 election manifesto. I believe all Dalit groups will agree to this,” he said. “We are a party that supports social justice. Therefore, there was some delay in taking the decision on internal reservation. All the ministers agreed unanimously.”
Even as objections mounted, the government began implementing the revised structure. Recruitment to 56,432 government posts, which was briefly halted following the policy shift, has resumed, although appointments remain subject to the final decision of the Karnataka High Court.
“Employment notifications issued without including internal reservation will be withdrawn and reissued in line with the revised policy,” Home Minister G Parameshwara said.
To limit disruption, the state clarified that recruitment processes where tests have already been conducted will not change, while new notifications will follow the revised quota.
The new system also requires changes in recruitment procedures. A 400-point list was introduced to accommodate partial allocations such as 5.25%, which replaces the previous format and complicates implementation in smaller batches.
“The recruitment notification must contain at least 15 posts in the same cadre to ensure implementation of internal reservation,” a senior official said, pointing out that smaller batches will fall into a common pool where all Scheduled Caste groups compete together.
Legal challenges to the policy are already underway, with petitions filed in the Karnataka High Court seeking amendments, including a separate quota for nomadic communities.
The government has indicated that any expansion beyond the current maximum reservation – including an earlier proposal to increase the quota for Scheduled Castes – will depend on judicial approval. “If the Supreme Court rules in its favour, the additional 6% will be treated as accumulation,” Siddaramaiah said.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa described the restructuring as a long-awaited measure. “Today, all 101 marginalized communities have received justice,” he said.
However, the response of Amari tribes and communities, such as the Lambanis and Bovis, suggests that the attempt to rebalance representation has created new competition within the quota system, even as it seeks to resolve old inequalities.
