While some segments of Scheduled Castes (SC) have expressed displeasure over the Supreme Court judgment over sub-categorisation within SCs, a study report of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI) has pointed out ‘huge difference’ in population of 59 castes included in SC category in Maharashtra. Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, had asked BARTI last year to conduct a study regarding the possibility of sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes so that the benefits of reservation reached all segments within the broad category. Accordingly, the autonomous institution under the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department conducted the study and submitted its report to the State Government. For the study, the experts examined the caste-wise data for Population Censuses from 1961 to 2011, since the Population Census-2021 data is yet to be finalised for release. Also, it traced the history of the demand for sub-categorisation of reservation for SCs in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, and Karnataka. Pointing out that there is ‘huge difference’ in population size of different castes in SC category in Maharashtra, BARTI has recommended ‘comprehensive research’ of all the castes, to record the segments ‘severely deprived’ of benefits (of welfare schemes) to bring them into mainstream. For the purpose, policy has to be framed with contribution from all the departments, it added. “It is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that facilities and benefits of opportunities under reservation are extended to all the castes and to create a just distribution system.

 

State Legislature is empowered to make available reservation within reservation to deprived castes, and the State has rights to provide reservation and ensure its just spread,” observed the report. While the population of 59 castes in SC category increased from 24,45,584 in 1961 to 1,28,66,780 in 2011 (total rise of 1,04,21,196), the highest population increase was registered in Mahar, Mehra, Taral, Dhegu-Meg castes. Whereas, points out BARTI report, the population of Mang, Matang, Minimadig, Dakhani-Mang, Mang-Mhashi, Madari, Garudi, and Radhemang castes increased from 7,57,917 in 1961 to 24,88,531 in 2011. In percentage terms, the population of Mahar, Mehra, Taral, Dhegu-Meg castes increased from 33.94 per cent (1961) to 62.22 per cent (2011) of total SC population in the State. However, the population of Mang, Matang, Minimadig, Dakhani-Mang, Mang-Mhashi, Madari, Garudi, and Radhemang castes saw a decline from 30.99 per cent (1961) to 19.34 per cent (2011). In its report, BARTI has observed that in SC category, the population of Mahar caste was the highest, followed by that of Matang, and Charmakar. Of total 59 castes included in SC category in Maharashtra, Mahar caste constitutes 62 per cent, followed by Matang 19 per cent, Charmakar 10.9 per cent. In 1961, the total population of castes in SC category in Maharashtra was 24,45,584 of which Mahar, Mehra, Taral, Dhegu-Meg was 8,29,997 (33.94 per cent of total SC population). Mang, Matang, Minimadig, Dakhani-Mang, Mang-Mhashi, Madari, Garudi, Radhemang together had population of 7,57,917 (30.99 per cent of total SC population). The total population of Bhambi, Bhambhi, Asadaru, Asadi, Chamadiya, Chamar, Chamari, Chambhar, Chamgar, Haralayya, Harali, Khalpa, Machigar, Mochigar, Madar, Mading, Mochi, Telugu Mochi, Kamati Mochi, Ranigar, Rohidas, Nona, Ramnami, Rohit, Samgar, Satnami, Surajyabanshi, Surajyaram-nami was 5,80,671 (23.74 per cent) in 1961.

 

 

It was followed by Bhangi, Mehtar, Olgana, Rukhi, Malkana, Halalkhor, Lalbegi, Balmiki, Karor, Zadgalli population of 79,557 (3.25 per cent). The population of Dhor, Kakkayya, Kankayya, Dohar was 45,914 (1.88 per cent), and that of other castes was 1,51,528 (6.20 per cent). As per 2011 Population Census, the population in Mahar, Mehra, Taral, Dhegu-Meg was 80,06,060 (62.22 per cent of total SC population of 1,28,66,780 in the State). Mang, Matang, Minimadig, Dakhani-Mang, Mang-Mhashi, Madari, Garudi, Radhemang together had a population of 24,88,531 (19.34 per cent of total SC population). Similar rise in population was registered in other castes. 

 

The BARTI report sheds light on ‘quota within quota’ or sub-categorisation in SC category or internal categorisation in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Punjab has given separate reservation in Government jobs to Valmiki and Majhabi Sikhs castes since 1975. Punjab has total 29 per cent SCs as compared to total population size of the State. The SC category comprises 37 castes. Of these, Valmiki and Mazhabi Sikhs together constitutes 41 per cent of SC population. In 1975, the then Chief Minister Gyani Zail Singh implemented 12.5 per cent SC reservation in Government jobs for Valmiki and Mazhabi Sikhs, and 1 2.5 per cent SC reservation for 35 other castes in the category. Haryana sub-categorised reservation to SCs in 1994. It gave 12.5 per cent reservation to Chambhar (constituting 50 per cent of SC population in the State), and 12.5 per cent to the remaining 36 castes in SC constituting remaining 50 per cent of SC population.

 

In 1997, Andhra Pradesh ordered further categorisation of castes in SC category through Rationalisation of Scheduled Castes Reservation Act, 2000. Four sub-categories were created, and the reservation was in implementation accordingly for four years. However, following the court order in E V Chinnaiah case, its implementation came to a halt in 2004. Later on, due to follow-up of certain communities, the then Central Government appointed a commission headed by retired judge Usha Mehra to study the Act of 2000 and social environment. The commission submitted its study report to the Central Government in 2008 with observation that sub-categorisation in SC category was needed to extend equal benefits of reservation to all castes in SC category in Andhra Pradesh. It had suggested amendment to Article 341 of the Constitution of India. But, as per BARTI report, the said report has not been tabled in Parliament by any Government. In Tamil Nadu, internal categorisation of reservation to SCs has been in implementation since 2009 for Arunthathiyar, Chakkiliyan, Madari, Madiga, Pagadai, Thoti and Adi Andhra castes. Of total 18 per cent reservation to 76 castes in SC category, these particular castes were given 3 per cent reservation. In Karnataka, the State Cabinet gave its nod to sub-categorisation of SC category on March 24, 2023, while accepting the recommendations made by G C Madhu Swami Committee. Also, on March 27, 2023, Karnataka Government made recommendations in this regard and for amendment to the Constitution of India.