Sun May 18 11:13:26 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The enumeration of the Beda Jangama community in Karnataka is facing controversy due to a suspected surge in population caused by Lingayat Jangamas falsely identifying as Beda Jangamas to avail SC reservation benefits. Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa has raised concerns about this issue. The Beda Jangama community themselves have challenged the requirement of caste certificates for enumeration, citing difficulties in obtaining them due to past controversies. The Nagmohan Das Commission acknowledges the potential imbalance this population increase could cause and is exploring alternative identification methods. Dalit organizations are urging the government to take action against those falsely claiming Beda Jangama status, fearing it will affect political representation and SC reservation benefits for Beda Jangamas.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Reservation Row: Concerns Raised Over Falsified Caste Claims**

**Bengaluru, May 18, 2025** – A controversy has erupted in Karnataka over the enumeration of the Beda Jangama community, a notified Scheduled Caste (SC). The issue stems from suspicions that members of the Lingayat Jangama community, classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs), are falsely claiming Beda Jangama status to access SC reservation benefits.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa has flagged this issue to the state government and the Nagmohan Das Commission on Internal Reservation, highlighting the “abnormal increase” in the Beda Jangama population. According to the Minister, the community’s numbers have surged from 5,141 in 1961 to over 400,000 in 2015.

The Beda Jangama community is also challenging the Nagmohan Das Commission’s requirement of caste certificates for enumeration, stating the issuance of these certificates has been stalled for years due to past “fake certificate” scandals.

The Commission acknowledges the potential imbalance caused by the population surge. Commission sources indicate they have tried to make the process easier by allowing individuals to bring Aaadhaar cards or BPL cards instead of a caste certificate.

Dalit organizations have voiced strong opposition, urging the government to take action against individuals falsely claiming Beda Jangama status. They fear this trend will dilute the community’s political representation and threaten the benefits intended for genuine Beda Jangamas.

The controversy highlights the complexities and sensitivities surrounding caste-based reservations in Karnataka, and the need for stringent verification processes to ensure equitable distribution of benefits.

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