Nomadic Castes Launch Indefinite Stir Over Internal Reservation Demand

Quick Summary

• Members of the nomadic and semi-nomadic ‘Alemari’ and ‘Are alemari’ communities protested indefinitely at Freedom Park in Bengaluru demanding a separate 1% reservation within the existing 17% reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
• The protesters are requesting government action based on the H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission’s advice identifying 59 microscopic communities as the most backward among SCs.
• The Federation for Social Justice for SCs expressed concerns over clubbing these microscopic communities with relatively well-off SC groups like Lambani, Bhovi, Korama, and Koracha.
• They demand:

– A Special Component plan in the state budget allocating 1% of total SC funds solely for nomadic/semi-nomadic caste development.
– A dedicated development corporation tailored to these groups excluding specific communities like Korama and Koracha.

• Protesters threatened to escalate their movement during the Winter session of the State legislature with a “Belagavi chalo” campaign.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ongoing protest underscores deeper concerns within India’s affirmative action framework, highlighting disparities even among subcategories of Scheduled Castes. Nomadic and semi-nomadic castes have consistently faced challenges due to their limited access to welfare initiatives compared to more established social groups within broader caste categories. Separating allocation quotas may pave new paths toward equitable representation but also requires careful balancing to avoid division or backlash from other disadvantaged groups.

If addressed prudently by policymakers, this issue could lead to meaningful changes in resource distribution frameworks while safeguarding inclusivity across marginalized demographics. The indefinite nature of protests signals both urgency and frustration; how quickly or effectively state authorities respond may influence not just governance outcomes but larger societal confidence in affirmative action mechanisms.

Read more: The Hindu