With Karnataka’s caste census just days away, the state government is seriously weighing a controversial proposal to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Kuruba community in select northern districts. The move, if approved, could transform the political landscape in the state while also sparking new waves of reservation-related contention.
The Kurubas, a historically pastoral community and one of Karnataka’s largest OBC groups, have been demanding ST status for decades. Their push has now found fresh support as the Congress-led state government explores ways to categorize Kurubas in Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Yadgir as part of the “Gonda” ST group.
Behind the proposal is a 2023 ethnographic study by the State Tribal Research Institute, which found cultural and social similarities between Kurubas and existing ST groups. Officials argue that some Kuruba subgroups were likely misclassified or left out of ST listings during earlier categorization processes.
If granted ST status, the Kurubas in these districts would be entitled to a wider range of reservations and welfare benefits. The state recently increased its ST quota from 3% to 7%, further intensifying the value of ST categorization. However, the proposal has drawn criticism from other ST communities and opposition parties, who allege vote-bank politics ahead of a data-sensitive census.
Critics have especially pointed to the timing of the move. With the state preparing to launch its caste-based socio-economic survey between September 22 and October 7, observers say the government’s actions appear designed to frame the Kuruba community as socially marginalized within the census, thereby strengthening the legal case for ST status.
Political observers also note that the current Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, belongs to the Kuruba community — raising concerns about favoritism. Nonetheless, the government maintains that the proposal is being evaluated purely on the basis of empirical data and district-specific marginalization.
The decision is pending a high-level meeting involving welfare boards, tribal development officials, and administrative heads. Any final implementation would still require approval from the central government, specifically the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Still, the move is being closely watched across Karnataka. It could open the door to similar demands from other powerful OBC communities and may redefine the contours of caste-based politics in the state in the years to come.
