What is Madiga Community Issue in Telangana?

The Madiga community, which constitutes over 50% of the Scheduled Caste (SC) population in Telangana, has long demanded sub-categorization of SCs. Their argument is that despite being the largest SC group numerically, they have been deprived of reservations and other government benefits meant for SCs. These benefits have disproportionately gone to the smaller but relatively advanced Mala community in Telangana.

Grievances of being left out

For decades, Madigas have raised grievances that they are excluded from availing reservations in education and jobs as well as other schemes meant for uplifting SCs. They allege that the Mala community with better social and economic standing has captured most government benefits. Madigas remain overwhelmingy backward.

The case for sub-quota

Madigas contend that sub-categorizing SCs with a separate quota for them will ensure fair access to entitlements proportional to their population. They argue that an umbrella SC quota without internal demarcations concentrates benefits in the hands of the advantaged Mala group. Several commissions have also supported sub-categorization.

Political promises

With their significant voting strength, Madiga demands gained traction ahead of the 2018 Telangana assembly elections. Major political parties promised corrective action if voted to power. Recently, Prime Minister Modi also promised to address Madiga concerns, giving fresh impetus.

The legal hurdle

While there is political recognition of Madiga grievances, legal complexities have prevented actualization of sub-quotas so far. With sub-categorization already implemented for SCs in some states stuck in litigation, time-bound resolutions remain elusive in Telangana too.

Past Efforts for Subclassification

Demands for subclassification of Scheduled Castes were raised by the Madiga community as early as 1994. This led the central government in 2005 to explore legal options for creating such subcategories.

The then Attorney General had opined that the Constitution could be amended to allow SC subclassification, but only if backed by irrefutable evidence of its necessity. He implied creating mechanisms to gather empirical data justifying it.

However, the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Tribes had opposed amending the Constitution back in 2005, arguing that simply earmarking quotas within quotas was inadequate. Ensuring existing benefits actually reach marginalized groups was more urgent per them.

Still, even these Commissions acknowledged in 2005 that Articles 341 and 342 do not explicitly bar Parliament from subclassifying Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the notification lists. In fact, they noted Article 16(4) already enables states to create special provisions for any inadequately represented backward class.

So while legal opinions and past recommendations acknowledged the possibility of creating SC sub-categories, they emphasized first addressing on-ground benefit delivery failures over quota quotas. Robust empirical evidence was also underlined to establish claims of disadvantage faced by subgroups.

Focus beyond sub-quota now

Given the pending Supreme Court verdict on the constitutionality of SC sub-categorization itself, the Center has formed an high-level committee to find alternative ways of addressing Madiga deprivation. The committee will explore improved delivery of existing schemes rather than just sub-quotas.

About the High-Level Committee

The high-level ministerial committee, led by the Cabinet Secretary, aims to find ways to more fairly distribute the benefits of schemes and initiatives meant for marginalized Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. Over 1,200 SC communities exist, but certain dominant groups have cornered most benefits, leaving the most disadvantaged communities behind.

This committee was established after Prime Minister Modi’s December 2023 meeting, where he promised to address demands to subclassify SCs, raised by Telangana’s Madiga community ahead of state polls. While prompted by Madiga concerns, sources say the committee has a broader mandate of tackling similar exclusion across SC communities nationwide.

Strictly barred from considering SC quota sub-categories, the panel of top officials across ministries will explore alternative solutions, like better targeting of existing schemes, to reach left-out groups. It has been instructed to submit early findings.

The committee faces challenges in identifying eligible SCs, gauging their specific needs, and enhancing last-mile scheme delivery. Although not its defined scope, the panel could still formally opine on the viability of SC sub-classification for the government to consider, if required.

The key challenge is insufficient empirical data quantifying the specific socio-economic backwardness facing Madigas vis-à-vis Malas that can justify sub-categorization demands. Robust evidence on disproportionate access to reservations will strengthen the case.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2024

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs