SUB-CATEGORIZATION OF SCs (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently announced in Hyderabad that his government will be establishing a committee to assess the sub-categorization of the Madiga community in Telangana within the Scheduled Castes category.

Background

• Historical Struggle: The Madiga community initiated the quest for sub-categorization in 1994 through the Madiga Dandora movement.
• Persistent Advocacy (MRPS): Over the years, the movement continued with the formation of the Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) to advocate for sub-categorization.
• Commission Inquiries: In 1996, Justice P. Ramachandra Raju led a commission to examine the demands of sub-categorization put forth by the Madiga community.

Sub-Categorisation of Scheduled Caste

• Under-representation among SCs: States argue that certain Scheduled Castes (SCs) remain under-represented despite existing reservation policies.
• Need: Many reports underline the inequality within the SCs, drawing attention to the need for addressing the disparities.
• Special Quotas: To address the under-representation, special quotas have been framed and implemented in various states.
• Initiatives in Specific States: Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar have introduced special quotas specifically targeting the most vulnerable Dalits.

Rohini Commission

• It was set up by the President under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution on October 2, 2017.
• Objectives: It was appointed to examine the issues on sub-categorization of Other Backward Castes.

Madiga Community

• About: Madiga is a Telugu caste from southern India.
• Majority: They mainly live in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, with a small minority in Tamil Nadu.
• Occupation: Work of tannery, leatherwork and small handicrafts.
• Population: The Madiga community constitutes at least 50% of the total Scheduled Castes in Telangana.