Accepted report on SC internal reservation with modifications, says CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Aug 20 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the state government, in its cabinet meeting, accepted Justice H N Nagamohan Das’s recommendations on internal reservation to the Scheduled Castes (SC) with certain modifications, including providing six per cent internal quota to the communities identified by the Commission as 'Left-Hand castes'.
Siddaramaiah told the Assembly that as soon as the internal reservation order is issued, recruitment processes will commence, and a one-time relaxation of the age limit will be provided.
"We have also decided to withdraw cases filed against internal reservation activists," he said.
Reading out a statement in the Assembly on the decision taken in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the CM said the cabinet noted that the Commission had grouped ‘Paraya’, ‘Mogera’ and other ‘Right-Hand castes’ among SCs together with the 'Left-Hand castes'.
"We decided to classify these communities with the Right-Hand group and provide them six per cent reservation," he said.
The CM said the government has decided to distribute the six per cent reservation to Adi Karnataka, Adi Andhra and Adi Dravida groups who constitute 4,74,954 population equally between the 'Left-Hand and Right-Hand groups.'
He noted that Justice Nagamohan Das recommended four per cent reservation for the 'Touchables' group and also identified 59 castes with a population of 5,22,099 as Category-A, suggesting one per cent reservation for them. For certain technical reasons, these two groups will be combined and given five per cent reservation.
Siddaramaiah said the Commission had proposed classification into five groups – A, B, C, D and E.
The cabinet has decided to reorganise this into three groups – A, B and C – providing six per cent internal reservation to Group A (Left-Hand castes), six per cent to Group B (Right-Hand castes), and five per cent to Group C, the CM explained.
"These changes have been made to ensure equality and fairness in access to education, employment and other opportunities for all 101 Scheduled Castes. In making this decision, the cabinet has adhered to the principles outlined in the Supreme Court judgment," he underlined.
The chief minister said the government has decided to constitute a Permanent Scheduled Castes Commission to periodically study intra-caste dynamics and available data and submit reports from time to time.
The government is committed to revisiting this decision, if necessary, based on data available from the next national census, Siddaramaiah said.
Noting that the government was pleased to place before the Assembly that Justice Nagamohan Das’ report has been accepted with the modifications, the CM said this decision successfully delivers justice to decades of struggle for internal reservation.
"Our government has demonstrated that Karnataka, as a progressive state, also leads the way in matters of social justice," he underlined.
Siddaramaiah told the Assembly that Justice Nagamohan Das’s Commission conducted an extensive study of 101 Scheduled Castes in the state and submitted its report on August 1.
The Commission collected data on 1,05,09,871 persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, covering 93 per cent of the SC population. The cabinet thoroughly examined this report.
The opposition BJP demanded a discussion on the cabinet decision, but the ruling Congress did not agree for it. The Speaker also did not allow any discussion. Displeased with the decision, the opposition staged a walkout.
* ಜಸ್ಟೀಸ್ ನಾಗಮೋಹನ್ ದಾಸ್ ಆಯೋಗವು ಎ,ಬಿ,ಸಿ,ಡಿ,ಇ ಎಂದು ಪ್ರವರ್ಗಗಳನ್ನಾಗಿ ವಿಭಾಗೀಕರಿಸಿ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ ಶಿಫಾರಸ್ಸನ್ನು ಸಚಿವ ಸಂಪುಟವು ಎ,ಬಿ,ಸಿ ಎಂದು ಮೂರು ಪ್ರವರ್ಗಗಳನ್ನಾಗಿ ವಿಭಾಗೀಕರಿಸಲು ಹಾಗೂ ಎಡಗೈ ಸಂಬಂಧಿತ ಜಾತಿಗಳುಳ್ಳ 'ಎ' ಪ್ರವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ - ಶೇ. 6, ಬಲಗೈ ಸಂಬಂಧಿತ ಜಾತಿಗಳುಳ್ಳ ಬಿ ಪ್ರವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ - ಶೇ. 6 ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿ ಪ್ರವರ್ಗಕ್ಕೆ… pic.twitter.com/Ss3Ldenj4J
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 20, 2025
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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
