Panel quota report escalates tension between castes

THE Justice Nagmohan Das Commission's Scheduled Caste (SC) report recommending classification of quota among 101 castes, is turning out to be a tough task for the Congress government, with tension escalating between the castes.

- DEVARAJ B HIREHALLI @Bengaluru

All eyes are on Tuesday's special cabinet meeting, with speculation rife as to whether the government will implement the report or set up a cabinet sub-committee. "If the sub-committee recommends a change in the quota matrix, by giving 6 per cent each to SC-Left and SC-Right (by including AA, AK and AD into it), the issue is likely to get diluted as both communities which have a large population among SCs are likely to accept it," a legislator said.

The political leadership, especially ministers belonging to respective castes, has maintained silence, while religious leaders backed by community organisations are up in arms against the government.