Internal Quota: Karnataka Govt Finds Rare Consensus with 6: 6: 5 Split, but social justice debate lings | Bengaluru News – Times of India

Bengaluru: in a state long divided over the issue of internal reservation with Scheduled Castes, The Congress Govt in Karnataka has managed what its predacesors Far Drawn Little Resistance. The 6: 6: 5 Formula, Clerade by the Cabinet Last Week, Divides The Existing 17% Quota for Scheduled Castes Into Three Parts: 6% Each for Dalit Right (Holeyas) and Dalit Left (MADIGAS), and 5% For Lambani, Korama, Koracha, Bhovis and 59 Other Microscopic Communities. For Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, this represents not just a policy shift but also a political gamble. The move contrasts sharply with BJP’s failed attempt in 2023, when protests by banjara, bhovi, korama and koracha groups turned violent. The Basavaraj Bommai Govt Had Allocated 6% to Dalit Left, 5.5% to Dalit Right, 4.5% to Touchable Castes, and 1% to others, Based on the Justice Aj Sadashiva Commission report. The distribution triggered a backlash, including an attack on BJP veteran bs yediyarappa’s residence in Shikaripura. However, there has been no major opposition from Dalit Groups to the new formula. Buoyed, The Govt Plans to Promulgate an order to give the formula legal backing. Siddaramaiah has also Announced a Permanent Scheduled Castes Commission to Study Socio-Economic Changes and Recommend Periodic Adjustments. Much Credit for the Consensus has Gone to Major P Manivannan, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Who Studied Models in Five States Before Designing the formula. Sources say his cabinet presentation degrew appreciation from Siddaramaiah. “I just did my job,” Manivannan said. YET, The decision has not escped criticism. The justice hn nagamohan das commission had recommended 5% for Dalit right, 6% for Dalit Left, 4% for Touchables, and 1% Each for Nomadic Groups and Disadvantaged Adi Castes. The cabinet dropped the 1% sub -Quotas. Prof ravindra reshme, annalyst, argued that nomadic and scavenger groups identified as least benefited was ignored. “It would have been a fitting tribute to devaraj urs if the govt has implemented the recommendations in Toto. INTEAD, they chose a compromise formula not guided by social justice but by Vote Bank Politics, “He said. Law Minister HK Patil Himself Joked About The Politics Involved, Suggessting The Formula Reflected The Wishes of Four Senior Dalit Ministers – G Parameshwara, Kh Muniyapa, HC Mahadevapa and Shivaraj Tangadagi.Other analysts view the decision positively. Political Scientist Prof Harish Ramaswamy Called It the Core of Social Justice. “Internal Reservation Brings in a Level Playing Field and Ensures Equal Opportunity to All Communities, Including The Smallest. The Politics behind the 6: 6: 5 formula is complex. Dalit Left Groups have long accused rights of cornering benefits, while lambanis and allied groups have demanded a greats. These rivalries weakened collective bargaining power. By Balancing All Three Clusters, Congress Hopes to Consolidate Sc Support Ahead of Future Elections. If anyone loses, it is the dalit right, who historically benefited due to stronger political representation. Yet, their representatives have so far avoided open opposition. Observers caution that implementation – Roster preparation, job allocation, monitoring – will decide if the 6: 6: 5 Matrix brings real change. “The sc communication is not monolithic,” Ramaswamy noted. “The crux lies in ensuring that the last mango the sc is not left out.” For now, the siddaramaiah govt has secured consensus on an issue that divided state politics for decades. Whats it becomes a model for equitable distribution or remain a compromise will depend on its execution. ,Quote In theory, internal reservation makes sense as the aim is to provide justice to smaller groups among Scheduled Castes. In Practice, it would require very careful calibration to ensure that social justice goals are met. Right Calibration would include ensuring availability of individuals in sub-categories for which internal reservation is provided forSandeep Shastri, Psephologist