Karnataka's Nomadic, 'Untouchable' Communities to March in Delhi on Oct 2 for Separate 1% SC Quota

New Delhi-  In a significant escalation of their long-standing struggle, thousands of members from Karnataka's most marginalised communities are set to gather in the national capital on Gandhi Jayanti, demanding the implementation of a separate 1% reservation quota as originally recommended by a state-appointed committee.

The protest is being organised by the Confederation of Untouchable Nomadic Communities of Karnataka, which represents 59 communities whose traditional livelihoods often still depend on begging, street performances, and itinerant labour.

The Core of the Conflict: A 35-Year Struggle

The Delhi gathering is the latest chapter in a battle for internal reservation within the Scheduled Caste (SC) category in Karnataka that has spanned over three decades.

The flashpoint is the Karnataka government's recent implementation of an internal reservation policy on August 19, 2025. The policy divided the SC quota into:

• Category A (SC Left): 6%

• Category B (SC Right): 6%

• Category C (Touchable SC): 5%

The nomadic communities have been placed in the 5% 'Touchable SC' category (Category C). They argue that this directly contravenes the recommendation of the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee, which had specifically advised creating a separate 1% reservation for them within Category A, ensuring them first priority in government jobs and educational admissions.

By placing them in Category C, the communities allege, the state government has effectively denied them their rightful share and priority, leaving them to compete with larger, more dominant groups.

A Peaceful Appeal to National Leadership

Frustrated by what they call the "helplessness" of the Karnataka government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the communities are now taking their plea to the national opposition.

"The Delhi Mission is a final appeal to the conscience of the nation," stated the Confederation in a media invitation. "This gathering is not only a peaceful delegation; it is a final appeal."

The day-long event on October 2, will unfold as follows:

• 10:30 AM: Inauguration of the protest at Jantar Mantar.

• 11:30 AM: A peaceful march from Jantar Mantar to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

• Post-Rajghat: The delegation will march to the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) office to submit a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, and other Congress leaders. The memorandum will urge him to intervene and ensure Karnataka implements the separate 1% reservation as originally recommended.

The Confederation has emphasized that the event will be peaceful and will include men, women, and children from across Karnataka, bringing the state's "most invisible citizens" to the national stage.