“Sub-categorisation of SCs is a must. They are not a homogenous group and putting everyone together is depriving some sub-sections of the SC community. A committee should be set up and assessment should be made with regard to the social and educational backwardness of the communities,” he said.The numbers of SCs and STs are counted every 10 years in the census, he pointed out. “What we have now is the numbers from the last Census, which was held in 2011. After that, the government has not made any efforts to collect data on caste-wise representation in jobs and educational institutions. Without quantifiable data, the court verdict cannot be realised,” he said, adding that the Karnataka government had set up the Sadashiva Commission in 2005 to classify SC groups and ensure equitable distribution of reservation. The Opposition parties including Congress, SP and RJD argue that a caste census can help identify the disadvantaged groups and bring them to the forefront of policy making.
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