The recent recategorization of two dominant communities in Karnataka, Vokkaligas and Lingayats, as “moderately backward” from the “backward” category could bring about a potential increase in their share for Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation. This action has sparked significant interest and conversation surrounding these communities and the topic of OBC reservation.
Understanding the Recategorization Move
Karnataka has a current OBC quota of 32%, while Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes hold 17% and 7% quotas respectively, amassing a total of 56%. The Panchamasali sub-sect of Veerashaiva Lingayats has demanded inclusion in the 2A category, which carries a 15% quota, as opposed to their existing 3B category, providing only a 5% quota. Consequently, the Cabinet’s decision came about as a result of the recommendations made by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
The Vokkaliga community, previously placed in the 3A category, will now move to a newly-created 2C category with a 4% reservation. In contrast, the Lingayat community, previously in the 3B category, will shift to a new 2D category with a 5% reservation. The Cabinet decision ensures that there is no sub-categorisation of the Lingayat community, which makes up almost 17% of Karnataka’s population. These new categories have been designed not to upset the existing reservations provided to other communities.
Understanding the Lingayat Community
The term Lingayat refers to individuals who wear a personal linga, an iconic representation of god Shiva, on their bodies, usually passed over during initiation ceremonies. Lingayats are followers of the 12th-century social reformer-philosopher poet Basaveshwara, a staunch opponent of the caste system and Vedic rituals. Unlike a Hindu subcaste referred to as Veerashaiva Lingayats who follow the Vedas and favor the caste system, Lingayats are more inclined to worship Linga (Shiva).
Understanding the Vokkaliga Community
Believed to be of Vokkaliga origin, the Rashtrakutas and Western Gangas are known for their farming roots. The Vokkaliga community originates from Karnataka and was the most populous community in the past princely state of Mysore. As warriors and cultivators, they have enjoyed significant demographic, political, and economic dominance in Old Mysore.
Evolution of OBC Reservation Status Over Time
The Kalelkar Commission, established in 1953, was the first to identify backward classes outside of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes at a national level. Estimated at 52%, the Mandal Commission Report of 1980 listed 1,257 communities as backward. They recommended increasing the existing quotas, initially only for SC/ST, to include the OBCs. At present, the central government reserves 27% of seats in union civil posts and services for OBCs.
In 2008, the Supreme Court ordered the central government to remove the creamy layer (advanced sections) among the OBCs. More recently, the 102nd Constitution Amendment Act of 2018 gave constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), which was initially a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
