The State Government of Karnataka made changes in the reservation provided under the backward class quota in March 2023. In this article, you can read all about the new quota system of Karnataka and its comparison with the old system of reservations in the state. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam GS paper 2.
Karnataka New Quota Regime
The Government of Karnataka has made crucial changes in the norms for reservation in government jobs and education for backward classes and Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka.
Recent changes:
- Change to the backward class quota of Muslims: The 4% backward classes quota provided for the Muslims in the state is scrapped and it has been reallotted to Lingayats and Vokkaligas.
- It was based on the recommendations of the Chinnappa Reddy report that the backward class quota for Muslims was introduced earlier.
- 7 extremely backward Muslim sub-castes will continue to enjoy the 4% quota (under Category I).
- It is only under the 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) now that Muslims can claim reservations.
- It is based on the report of the Backward Classes Commission, that the Government has introduced these changes.
- It is mentioned that the commission is of the view that the 10% EWS quota can be used to “accommodate new demands” from “various backward classes for increased reservation”.
- Increased quota for SCs and STs: The state government had increased the quota for SCs and STs in government jobs and education by 2% and 4% respectively in October 2022.
- Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or posts in the services under the state) Bill, 2022, increased the SC quota from 15% to 17%, and the ST quota from 3% to 7%.
- Fixing quotas within the quota for SCs: On the basis of a cabinet sub-committee’s recommendations, the state government has also decided to fix the quotas within the quota for SCs.
- Rejecting the recommendations of the Justice A J Sadashiva Commission on internal SC reservations, the cabinet had come up with its own formula for quotas within the quota.
Comparison of the old and new system of reservation in Karnataka
Image source: The Indian Express
Issues raised:
- The change introduced in the OBC status of Muslims in the state was not based on any report or studies.
- But the argument made by the Chief Minister has been that the Constitution doesn’t contain any provision for the reservation for religious minorities.
- A 2010 judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court is also cited to justify the move, in which HC struck down reservations for Muslims under the OBC quota as unconstitutional. It was stated that there was no data, which shows that Muslims be included in the OBC category.
- Various expert committees such as the Miller Commission (1918), Nagan Gowda Commission (1961), Havanur Commission (1975), Venkataswamy Commission (1983), and Chinnappa Reddy Commission (1990) have recommended that on the basis of their social and educational backwardness, Muslims should be classified as a backward community.
- It is accused by some that these changes are carried out now to gain an advantage in the upcoming assembly elections and are also considered part of communal politics.
As the total reservations have crossed the 50% ceiling set by the Supreme Court in the Indira Sawhney case (1992), the state government asked the Centre to include these changes under the 9th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Karnataka’s New Quota Regime:- Download PDF Here
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