SCs/STs body miffed at caste census report, terms it unconstitutional

Mangaluru: Confederation of SCs and STs Organisation president Lolaksha strongly opposed the inclusion of additional castes under the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories as reported in the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (caste census) conducted by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission, headed by H Kantharaj.
Lolaksha alleged that the commission systematically conspired to strip the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the SC/ST communities. Quoting media reports, he told reporters on Wednesday, that as per the survey, the commission identified 180 Scheduled Castes and 105 Scheduled Tribes in the state, numbers that far exceeded the officially recognised figures.
Referring to Article 341(1) of the Constitution, he clarified that only the President of India, after consulting the respective state's governor, has the authority to notify a caste as a Scheduled Caste through a Gazette notification. He asserted, "The Backward Classes Commission has no legal power to include additional castes under SC/ST categories."
Citing Article 341(2), Lolaksha further pointed out that only Parliament can amend such a notification through legislation. He stated, "Even Parliament cannot alter the list without passing a law. The Supreme Court also ruled that recognising any caste not on the official list as an SC is unconstitutional." Currently, Karnataka officially recognises only 101 SC castes and 49 ST castes.
He also questioned recent remarks by a commission member who alleged that individuals from upper castes obtained SC certificates. He asked, "If so, what are the departments of prosecution, home, and social welfare doing to address this misuse?"
Lolaksha warned that efforts by certain backward or extremely backward communities to secure SC/ST certificates illegally were part of a larger anti-Dalit conspiracy. He described the commission's role in the matter as unconstitutional, and said criminal charges may be considered against the commission's chairman and secretary if necessary. He condemned the Siddaramaiah-led govt's acceptance of the Kantharaj report.
Meanwhile, confederation general secretary Kanthappa said that a consultative meeting would be held at 10 am on Sunday at Hotel Srinivas, Mangaluru, to deliberate on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes. The discussion will bring together community leaders, social activists, intellectuals, and public policy experts to explore the implications of internal reservation and evolving caste dynamics.