SUB CATEGORIZATION OF SCs Syllabus GS Paper 2 - Polity)

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India initiated the establishment of a committee to examine the longstanding demand for sub-categorization within the Scheduled Castes, specifically focusing on the Madiga community.

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.

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.

Sub-Categorisation of Scheduled Caste

• Under-representation among SCs: States argue that certain Scheduled Castes (SCs) remain under-represented despite existing reservation policies.
• Highlight in Reports: 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.