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The Karnataka Backward Classes Commission has also suggested increasing the reservation for OBCs from 32% to 51%. The recommendations have been made based on the socio-economic survey, popularly known as the ‘caste census’, carried out by the state in 2015
Extracts of the report show that Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, at 1.52 crore, make up 25% of the state population. Among OBCs, Muslims, with a population of 75.25 lakh, are the biggest group. (Representational pic/Getty)
The Karnataka Backward Classes Commission has recommended doubling the reservation for Muslims from 4% to 8% in the state. It has also suggested increasing the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from 32% to 51%. The recommendations have been made based on the socio-economic survey, popularly known as the “caste census“, carried out by the state in 2015.
CNN-News18 has accessed the Karnataka socio-economic survey report and recommendations of the Backward Classes Commission.
The survey pegs the Muslim population at 18.08% in Karnataka. The overall OBC population, including Muslims, is pegged at 69.60%.
“It has been decided to recommend increasing the reservation for backward classes from 32% to 51%. Additionally, the creamy layer in the backward classes can be accommodated in the general category as well. Backward classes constitute 69.60% of Karnataka and can be rounded off to 70%,” the commission said in its report.
Extracts of the report show that Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, at 1.52 crore, make up 25% of the state population. Among OBCs, Muslims, with a population of 75.25 lakh, are the biggest group.
The commission has recommended breaking the 50% reservation ceiling, arguing that the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Indra Sawhney case is not operational, with the ceiling already breached. The report highlights Tamil Nadu (69%) and Jharkhand (77%) as having already crossed the 50% reservation cap.
Proposed reservation by Backward Classes Commission-
OBC: From 32% to 51% (including 8% to Muslims under Category-2B from the existing 4%)
SC-ST: 24% (Status quo)
EWS: 10% (Status quo)
A special cabinet meeting on April 17 will discuss the caste survey report and the roadmap for its implementation.