State will recommend Scheduled Tribes status for five communities before the end of Winter Session, says MLC

Member of Legislative Council Thippannappa Kamaknoor has said that the State government has promised to recommend to the Centre to grant Scheduled Tribes (STs) status to Koli, Kabbaliga, Besta, Ambiga and Mogaveera communities and urged the community leaders to refrain from staging protests until the Winter Session of the Legislative Assembly is over.

Addressing a press conference here recently, Mr. Kamaknoor said that the State government has agreed to press the Central government for clearing the long-pending issue of ST status for the five communities and also send its recommendation before the end of the Winter Session.

He explained that these communities remain among the most socially, economically, politically and educationally backward groups in the State.

Mr. Kamaknoor said that historical records from 1881 to 1931 caste census clearly describe them as having distinct tribal characteristics.

Mr. Kamaknoor pointed out that various Backward Classes Commissions in the State have already recommended their inclusion under the STs category.

Despite this, the communities have been denied justice due to lack of political will over the years, he added.

For nearly 30 years, these communities have held a series of protests across the State demanding rightful recognition, he said.

He highlighted that communities such as Bedar, Valmiki, Nayak, Banjara, Bhovi, Korama and Koracha have already been accorded Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Castes status due to political representation and strong advocacy, whereas Koli, Kabbaliga, Besta, Ambiga and Mogaveera continue to remain outside the list only in the State.

Mr. Kamaknoor observed that these communities are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in 14 States and as Scheduled Castes in nine States across the country, but Karnataka is yet to extend the benefit to them.

The lack of political will has resulted in longstanding injustice to these communities, he added.