Reservation Demand by Panchamasali Lingayat

 

UPSC Syllabus Prelims: Current Events of National Importance, Politics Mains: GS-II: Indian Politics and Governance

Introduction

• Panchamasali Lingayat, a sub-caste of the dominant Lingayat community of Karnataka, has been demanding inclusion in Category 2A of Other Backward Classes (OBC) for over three years.

Lingayat 

• Lingayat means those who bear the linga of Lord Shiva.
• Lingayat is a major religious community in Karnataka, that follows the teachings of Basavanna, a 12th-century philosopher and social reformer.
• They are known for their distinctive religious practices and reforms emphasizing equality and social justice.

Current Reservation Status

• The Panchamasali Lingayat community enjoys reservation benefits under Category 3B of Karnataka’s OBC quota matrix.

Current Demand

• Panchamasali Lingayats are demanding inclusion in the 2A category of OBC.
• The current demand aims to
• Get better representation and opportunities for their community.
• Avail the benefit of 15 percent reservation set under the OBC category in government jobs and educational institutions.

Basavanna Basavanna (1105-1167) was a statesman, philosopher, poet, and the founding saint of the Lingayat sect in Karnataka. He served as the prime minister of the Kalachuri Empire in South India and promoted a socio-religious movement for equality and social justice. Teachings and contributions Basavanna opposed the caste system and promoted the idea of equality among all human beings. He introduced karma as worship. Founded the Anubhava Mandapa, a spiritual parliament where people from all walks of life could discuss and debate various issues, promoting democratic values and social justice. Numerous vachanas (poetic compositions) were composed in Kannada, emphasizing devotion to one god, Shiva, and advocating moral values and ethical living.  Legacy Basavanna’s teachings laid the foundation of Lingayatism, which focused on personal devotion and ethical living and profoundly influenced Kannada literature and culture.

 

Composition of the Lingayat community

• Lingayats have several sub-castes, including Panchamasali, Banajiga, Ganiga, Jangama, etc.
• Panchamasali Lingayats are primarily an agricultural community.
• Panchamasalis are the largest, making up about 70% of the Lingayat population.
• They claim to number around 85 lakh – about 14% of Karnataka’s population of about six crore.

OBC Reservation and Sub-Categorisation

OBC Composition:

• OBCs consist of several different castes and sub-castes that are marginalized to varying degrees based on ownership of land, occupation, etc. • To prevent any one dominant OBC group from grabbing all the quota benefits, most states have implemented further sub-classification of OBCs taking into account the relative marginalization of different castes and their population.

Reservation in Karnataka

32% Reservation for OBCs:

• In Karnataka, the total reservation for OBCs in government jobs and college admissions is 32%. It is distributed across five categories.
• Currently, 102 castes in Karnataka fall under the 2A OBC category.

 

Categories of OBC in Karnataka Category 1: Extremely Backward Classes Category 2A: Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Category 2B: Other Backward Classes Category 3A: Other Backward Classes Outside the Creamy Layer Category 3B: Other Backward Classes Outside the Creamy Layer

Reservation in India

• Reservation in India is a system of affirmative action aimed at the upliftment of historically disadvantaged groups.
• This policy ensures representation in education, employment, and politics for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Historical Background

• The concept of reservation can be traced back to the British colonial era, in which policies were formulated to provide educational and employment opportunities to disadvantaged communities.
• After independence, the Indian Constitution adopted in 1950 laid the foundation for a comprehensive reservation policy.

 

Evolution of Reservation in India Pre-independence era 1901 – Kolhapur State:  Maharaja Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj introduced reservations to uplift the backward classes and provide them with opportunities in the state administration. 1908 – British Administration: The British introduced reservation to ensure the representation of backward classes in administrative posts. 1921 – Madras Presidency: The Madras Presidency issued a government order providing 44% reservation for non-Brahmins, 16% for Brahmins, Muslims, and Anglo-Indians/Christians, and 8% for Scheduled Castes. 1935 – Government of India Act, 1935 The Government of India Act, of 1935 included provisions to ensure reservation in government jobs. 1942 – Advocacy of B.R. Ambedkar Dr. B.R. Ambedkar advocated reservation in government services and education for Scheduled Castes to improve their socio-economic status. Post-independence era 1950 – Constitution of India: The Indian Constitution provided for reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in government jobs and educational institutions to promote social justice (Articles 15 and 16). 1979 – Mandal Commission The Mandal Commission was set up to identify socially or educationally backward classes. The Commission recommended 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs and educational institutions. 1990 – Implementation of Mandal Commission Report: The central government implemented 27% reservation for OBCs in central government jobs, leading to significant political and social debate. 1992 – Indra Sawhney Case (Mandal Case) The Supreme Court upheld 27% reservation for OBCs but excluded the “creamy layer” (wealthier and better-educated members of OBCs) from reservation benefits. 2006 – Reservation in educational institutions The government introduced reservations for OBCs in central educational institutions, including IITs, IIMs, and other central universities. 2008 – Reservation in private sector There were discussions and proposals to introduce reservation in the private sector to extend affirmative action in private employment. 2019 – 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act: The government introduced 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) in government jobs and educational institutions for persons not falling under any other reservation category.

 

Vertical and Horizontal Reservation

Vertical Reservation  

• Vertical reservation refers to the allocation of reserved seats for specific social categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in government jobs, educational institutions, and political bodies.
• These reservations are a percentage of the total available seats and are based on the proportion of these groups in the population.

Example:-

• If there are 100 seats and the vertical reservation for SC is 15%, then 15 seats are reserved for SC candidates.

Horizontal Reservation 

• Horizontal reservation cuts across vertical categories and applies to specific groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and ex-servicemen.
•  It ensures that a certain percentage of seats within each vertical reservation category are allocated to these groups.  
•  If 30 seats are reserved for OBCs and the horizontal reservation for women is 30%, then 9 seats (30 of 30) are reserved for women within the OBC category.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Reservation 

• The Indian Constitution provides a framework for reservation under various articles to ensure social justice and equality:

Article 15(4): Empowers the State to make special provisions for the upliftment of any socially and educationally backward class of citizens or the SCs and STs.

Article 16(4): Allows the State to provide reservation in appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.

Article 46: Directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, in particular the SCs and STs, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.

Article 340: Provides for the appointment of a commission to inquire into the conditions of the backward classes.

Ninth Schedule of the Constitution

• The Ninth Schedule was added to the Constitution by the First Amendment in 1951.
• It contains a list of laws of the Centre and State which are exempt from judicial review.
• Its purpose was to protect land reforms and other laws involved from being challenged in the courts.

Mandal Commission

• The Mandal Commission was set up in 1979 to identify socially or educationally backward classes and recommend measures for their advancement.
• Its recommendations led to the inclusion of OBCs in the reservation system.

Arguments in favor of reservation in India 

Social Justice

• Reservation is seen as a form of affirmative action that aims to correct historical injustices faced by marginalized communities.
  •  For example, reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) aims to overcome centuries of social discrimination and exclusion.
•  Representation: Ensures representation of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in education, employment, and politics.
  • For example, the Indian Constitution mandates reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to ensure political representation for SCs and STs.

Economic Equality

• Helps provide economic opportunities to disadvantaged classes, leading to poverty reduction.
• Provides access to educational and employment opportunities to marginalized communities.
  •  For example, reservation in government jobs enables individuals from reserved categories to gain stable employment, improving their economic status.

 Inclusive Growth

• Promotes balanced socio-economic development across all sections of society.
• Encourages education and skill development among reserved categories, thereby contributing to national development.
  •  For example, reservation helps bring marginalized communities into the mainstream, thereby promoting inclusive growth.

Opposition Arguments of Reservation in India 

Merit Concerns

• Critics argue that reservation may compromise merit, thereby affecting the quality of professionals in various fields.
• It is believed that qualified candidates may miss out on opportunities due to the reservation system.
  • For example, in competitive exams like IIT-JEE or UPSC, some argue that reserved category candidates may have lower cut-off marks, potentially affecting overall quality.

Social Divisions

• Reservations based on caste may perpetuate caste identities, leading to social fragmentation.
• This may create tensions between reserved and non-reserved communities.
• Reservation based on caste does not address economic inequalities within the same caste or community.
• Often, the benefits of reservation do not reach the most marginalized within the reserved categories.
  •  For example, economically well-off individuals within reserved categories may benefit from reservation, leaving those who are truly in need deprived.
  • The creamy layer within OBCs may dominate the benefits, while the poorer sections are left deprived.

Issues and Challenges Associated with the Reservation System in India 

Implementation Issues

• Ensuring proper implementation of reservation policies can be administratively challenging.
  • For example, ensuring that all institutions comply with reservation policies requires significant monitoring.
• There are problems in monitoring and ensuring compliance with reservation policies in both the public and private sectors.
  • For example, private companies may not fully comply with reservation norms.

Caste-based politics

•  Reservation policies are often used as political tools, leading to vote-bank politics.
  • For example, political parties may promise to increase reservations to gain votes from specific communities.
• The persistent demands of various communities for inclusion in the reserved categories complicate the policy framework.
  • For example, recent demands for OBC status by Marathas, Jats, and Patels have further complicated the reservation debate.

Socio-economic imbalances

•  Reservation does not address inter-caste economic disparities.
  •   For example, a wealthy person from a reserved category may benefit more than a poor person from the same category.
• The impact of the policy on the upliftment of the most marginalized sections is often questioned.
  • For example, despite reservations, significant sections of SCs, STs, and OBCs remain socio-economically backward. Other initiatives for the upliftment of marginalized people:-

Skill Development Programmes

• The government can enhance the employability of marginalized groups through vocational training and skill development programs.
• These initiatives can provide individuals with the necessary skills to gain better job opportunities and improve their socio-economic status.

Educational Scholarships

• Providing financial aid and scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds can help bridge the educational gap.
• Scholarships ensure that financial constraints do not hinder the educational aspirations of students from marginalized communities.

Inclusive Policies

• It is necessary to develop comprehensive policies that address the health, housing, and social security needs of marginalized communities.
• Such policies can provide a safety net and improve the overall quality of life for these groups.

Economic Empowerment

• Encouraging entrepreneurship and providing support for small and medium enterprises run by individuals from marginalized groups can contribute significantly to their economic empowerment.
• Access to credit, mentoring programs, and market opportunities can help these businesses grow.

Source- Indian Express