Karnataka's Caste Census Report: Paving the Way for Internal Reservations

Justice Nagmohan Das has submitted the comprehensive caste census report to Karnataka's cabinet, focusing on internal reservations for Scheduled Castes. This 1,766-page document highlights key recommendations and is seen as a significant step towards achieving social justice in the state.

Karnataka's Home Minister, G Parameshwara, announced the submission of a critical caste census report by Justice Nagmohan Das. The document, likely to reach the cabinet on Thursday, entails detailed findings and is poised for further discussions post cabinet approval. "Further discussions will take place once it is accepted," Parameshwara emphasized to the media.

Within the same week, Minister Parameshwara confirmed that the Justice Das Commission's survey on internal reservations is ready for cabinet deliberation, marking a decisive phase in its potential implementation. The one-person commission, led by Justice Das, awaits the cabinet's decision before taking further action.

Karnataka's Rural Development Minister, Priyank Kharge, referenced the fulfillment of a significant electoral promise. He noted that their inclusive survey accounted for substantial demographics, despite certain urban non-responses. Kharge shared that the upcoming cabinet meeting would see these recommendations critically assessed.

Justice Das articulated a pivotal aspect of the report advocating internal reservations for Scheduled Castes, a long-held aspiration. In his media briefing, Das emphasized the thorough analysis undertaken, culminating in a comprehensive 1,766-page report generated using mobile data collection.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted the submission as a "significant milestone" in social justice efforts, reflecting on the mandates of the Supreme Court judgment empowering states on internal caste reservations. The formation of Justice Das's commission followed a cabinet resolution targeting these objectives, leading to the recent report grounded in extensive data analysis.

This initiative follows the Supreme Court directive allowing states to define internal reservation allocation for Scheduled Castes, with Karnataka taking stride under judicial guidance to embody this directive into actionable policy.

(With inputs from agencies.)