SC caste survey report to be discussed at Special Cabinet meet in Karnataka on August 16
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet will hold a special meeting on August 16 to discuss the Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission’s report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil stated that the Commission surveyed 92% of the population across 101 SC communities. “Copies of the report have been distributed to all the members of the Cabinet. Everyone will come to the special cabinet meeting after reading the report and participate in the discussion,” he said.
The report was formally submitted to the Cabinet on Thursday.
According to sources quoted by The New Indian Express, key ministers from SC communities — including Social Welfare Minister Dr HC Mahadevappa, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa, Excise Minister RB Thimmapur, RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, and Backward Classes Development Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi — have so far refrained from speaking much about the report.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the ministers to thoroughly review the report before the meeting and return prepared for a constructive debate in the special Cabinet.
The Congress government faces mounting pressure from the leadership of the SC Left community, which has long demanded internal reservations. The push for implementation intensified after the Supreme Court, on August 1, 2024, ruled that states are constitutionally empowered to sub-classify SC quotas.
However, leaders from Bhovi and Lambani communities have cautioned against hasty implementation. The government is expected to take a decision, especially as recruitment processes remain stalled pending sub-classification of the SC quota.
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Guv Gehlot wants hate speech and hate crimes bill shelved, says Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday alleged that Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has referred the Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill to the President Droupadi Murmu to dump it in cold storage.
According to the Bill, any expression which is made, published or circulated in words, either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, in public view, with an intention to cause injury, disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will against person alive or dead, class or group of persons or community, to meet any prejudicial interest, is hate speech.
The bill seeks at least seven years jail term and a maximum penalty of Rs one lakh.
The bill was passed by both the Houses during the winter session in Belagavi and was sent to Gehlot towards the end of December 2025.
Speaking to reporters here, Parameshwara said the Governor has questioned 28 points in bill and has referred it to the President.
"If the President sends back to us with her observations, then we will do something and send it again (for gubernatorial assent)," he said.
The minister explained that the bill was brought consciously and not just like that.
"We have freedom of speech, but that does not mean that one can say anything. We have to see how it impacts our society. Hence, the bill was introduced," he sought to know.
According to him, there were instances of hate speech, which made the government think of bringing a law.
Targeting the BJP, he said, "If you (BJP) still say that this is not proper, then what are your motives? Should it mean that anyone can abuse anyone? Should we allow any disturbance in society?"
He alleged that the Governor wants this bill is never implemented.
"In my opinion, the Governor has intentionally referred it to the President, so that it does not come into effect. He wants it to be shelved forever," Parameshwara said.
When reporters asked him that the same is happening in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he said, "Let's see what happens in the coming days. I think things will improve."
