Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sent the Karnataka Scheduled Castes (Sub-classification) Bill back to the state government, requesting clarifications. The bill, which aims to provide internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs), was passed during the Belagavi session of the legislature last month. The Governor has also yet to decide on the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill.
The SC sub-classification bill seeks to legally formalize the state's internal quota system for SCs, dividing the 17% reservation into subgroups. The proposed formula allocates 6% to Madigas and 15 affiliated castes (Group A), 6% to Holeyas and 18 affiliated castes (Group B), and 5% to Lambani, Bhovi, Korma, Korcha, and 59 other communities considered 'most backward' (Group C). This internal reservation would be considered during recruitment and admissions to state-run educational institutions.
The Governor's decision to return the bill has the potential to disrupt the Congress government's plan to claim credit for delivering social justice to sections within the SC community. Sources indicate that the Governor received petitions, including one led by Chitradurga MP and former Deputy CM Govind Karjol, raising concerns about the "unscientific" nature of the internal reservations. Concerns have also been raised about potential issues within government services, as the bill could affect promotions for SC employees. It's been suggested that eligible candidates could be pushed down the roster, potentially causing disputes over promotions. Some Karnataka Administrative Services officials have also objected to the executive officer post being handed over to the endowment department, which they say breaks convention and creates a hierarchical crisis within the administration.
In addition to the SC sub-classification bill, the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill remains under the Governor's consideration. The bill, which was passed by the Karnataka Legislature despite opposition from the BJP, proposes a fine of up to ₹1 lakh and a jail term of up to seven years for hate speech. The bill defines hate speech as any expression, whether spoken, written, or published, that intends to cause injury, disharmony, or ill will against any individual or group.
The hate speech bill has faced opposition from BJP and JD(S), who argue that it violates freedom of expression. Concerns have been raised that the bill's broad definitions could be misused to silence dissent and curb media freedom. Clause 6 of the bill, which empowers the government to remove or block content deemed a hate crime, has also been a point of contention.
While the Governor has withheld assent for the hate speech bill, he has approved 19 of the 22 bills sent to him after the Belagavi winter session and sent them for publishing in the Official Gazette. Other bills still awaiting gubernatorial assent include the Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention and Redressal) Bill, the Drugs and Cosmetics (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Karnataka State Road Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill.
