Mon Mar 24 10:56:48 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka to Implement Internal Caste Reservations Based on Upcoming Commission Report
**Bengaluru, March 24, 2025** – The Karnataka government is poised to implement internal reservations within the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, following a recommendation expected next week from the Justice H.N. Nagmohan Das Commission. This move, aimed at addressing a decades-long demand from Dalit left communities (primarily Madigas), will redistribute the existing 17% reservation quota allocated to 101 SC sub-castes.
The Commission, established after the Supreme Court permitted states to implement internal reservations, is tasked with proposing a fair distribution based on 2011 census data and Supreme Court guidelines. A meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, attended by several ministers from the SC community and Justice Das, was held to discuss preparations for the upcoming interim report.
Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahdevappa confirmed the government’s commitment to implementing internal reservations, stating that all recruitment, backlog recruitment, and promotions have been temporarily halted pending the commission’s findings. The decision follows a Congress election manifesto pledge from 2023.
The issue has been highly contentious, with Dalit left communities arguing that Dalit right communities (Holeyas) have disproportionately benefited from the existing system. While previous attempts to implement internal reservations have faced opposition, Minister K.H. Muniyappa expressed confidence that the current proposal will proceed smoothly, adhering to Supreme Court directives.
The interim report will include empirical data, the commission’s opinion, and recommendations. The government will review the report before finalizing the implementation plan. The halt on government recruitment processes underlines the government’s seriousness in addressing this long-standing issue.
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