Karnataka CM promises to again recommend inclusion of Kuruba community in ST category to Centre

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Pushes for Kuruba Community’s ST Status Amid Local Debates

In a recent event in Kalaburagi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shared updates on efforts to include the Kuruba community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. He revealed that the state had earlier recommended this inclusion, but the Centre sent it back. Now, the team plans to gather more data and documents before resubmitting it soon.

This announcement could spark fresh discussions across Karnataka, especially since some communities, like the Valmiki group, oppose adding the Kuruba community—which the CM himself belongs to—to the ST list. Siddaramaiah addressed this directly, stressing that the final call rests with the Central government. The state can only suggest it, so he urged everyone to stay calm and avoid unnecessary opposition.

Siddaramaiah spoke at a gathering hosted by the Karnataka State Kuruba Sangha and Sangolli Rayanna Youth Association. During the event, he unveiled a statue of the legendary freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna and renamed the local city bus station in his honor. He reminded the crowd that India celebrates Rayanna’s birth on Independence Day, August 15, and sadly, the British executed him on January 26—the date that later became Republic Day.

Turning to the upcoming caste survey, the CM encouraged Kuruba community members to proudly write "Kuruba" in the caste column. The survey runs from September 22 to October 7 and aims to map out the exact social and economic status of all communities in Karnataka. "This will give us a clear picture of our needs and help unlock better benefits," he said.

He highlighted a key challenge: the Kuruba community makes up about 7% of Karnataka’s population but lags far behind in education. Siddaramaiah called on every family to prioritize schooling, saying it’s the best way to lift the community out of backwardness. He also praised the Kanaka Guru Peetha initiative, which focuses on educating marginalized groups. Drawing inspiration from icons like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Narayana Guru, he noted that education brings true independence and self-respect. The caste system, he added, has fueled inequality for too long.

The CM took a moment to clear the air on the Peetha’s origins. "We’ve worked hard across Karnataka to set it up, but some folks now claim credit falsely. Don’t fall for it—decide for yourselves. My trust in you means everything," he said with a personal touch. He reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to social justice, whether in office or not, and invoked the paths of saints like Kanakadasa and warriors like Sangolli Rayanna as guides for all.

Siddaramaiah dreamed big for a casteless, classless society, echoing the visions of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar. He pointed out that his government is tackling inequality through various welfare schemes and guarantees. But he stressed that real progress needs economic growth too—especially for socially and economically weaker sections. "Without it, we can’t fulfill those great dreams," he said.

This isn’t new for him; during his first term as CM, Siddaramaiah launched a similar survey on backward communities to drive targeted improvements. His words at the event underscore ongoing pushes for Kuruba community upliftment, ST inclusion in Karnataka, and broader social justice reforms in the state.

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