Nomadic Communities Take Protest to Delhi: NAPM Urges Kharge, Rahul Gandhi to Undo “Historical Injustice”

New Delhi: In a powerful plea ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has written to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, urging them to intervene in what they term as a “historical injustice” against 59 nomadic and semi-nomadic communities in Karnataka.

A large contingent of these communities is marching to Jantar Mantar in Delhi for a peaceful mass demonstration on October 2. NAPM leaders have sought a meeting with senior Congress leadership at the AICC office, demanding urgent action to secure 1% internal reservation for the most marginalised nomadic communities within the Scheduled Castes (SC) category, in line with the recommendations of the Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission.

Background: A Long Struggle for Recognition

The demand for equitable internal reservation has been ongoing in Karnataka for over three decades. While the state cabinet announced in August 2025 that it would implement the Nagamohan Das Commission’s report on internal reservations, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from nomadic groups.

According to NAPM, the August decision merged nomadic and semi-nomadic groups with more influential “touchable” SC communities (Category-C), denying them the primacy they deserve within Category-A, reserved for the most socio-economically marginalised groups.

“This decision unfairly perpetuates injustice,” the NAPM letter stated, warning that nomadic groups would face further exclusion from education, government jobs, and welfare benefits unless a separate 1% quota is carved out.

The Commission and the Supreme Court Judgment

The Nagamohan Das Commission, set up by the Karnataka government in November 2023, classified 101 Scheduled Castes into five categories after a detailed, data-driven exercise. The Commission submitted its report in March 2025.

Its recommendations followed a landmark seven-judge Supreme Court ruling (State of Punjab vs. Davinder Singh, August 2024), which upheld states’ powers to provide internal reservations within Scheduled Castes based on relative levels of deprivation.

Solidarity and Resistance

Despite welcoming the state government’s broader move on internal reservation, nomadic groups argue that the policy still leaves them behind. In a massive show of unity, thousands of members staged a “Bengaluru Chalo” rally on September 3. The Madiga community — itself historically marginalised — announced that it would not celebrate its partial victory until nomadic communities too receive justice.

“These communities continue to survive on performing arts, ritual begging, agricultural labour and leatherwork. Literacy rates remain abysmally low. To merge them with socially stronger SC groups is to write them out of the future,” the NAPM leaders wrote.

Call to Congress Leadership

While Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is reportedly sympathetic to the demand, cabinet resistance has stalled a clear commitment to the 1% quota. NAPM leaders urged Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to use their influence to ensure the Congress government in Karnataka upholds the spirit of social justice.

“‘Social justice’ was the central theme of the Bharat Jodo Yatra and also the Karnataka election campaign. Now is the time to implement this agenda in true letter and spirit,” the letter reminded the Congress leadership.

NAPM has demanded two immediate steps:
1. Implementation of the Nagamohan Das Commission report with a dedicated 1% quota for the most backward nomadic communities under Category-A.
2. A comprehensive socio-economic development policy for all 59 nomadic and semi-nomadic groups, including allocations for livelihoods, land, education, healthcare, and housing.

What Lies Ahead

With thousands expected at Jantar Mantar on October 2, the demonstration is likely to intensify pressure on the Karnataka government. The issue places Congress in a sensitive position — balancing intra-SC demands while upholding its own promises of justice and equality.

For the nomadic communities, this march to Delhi is not just another protest, but the latest chapter in a decades-long struggle to secure dignity, recognition, and a fair share of constitutional rights.