Bengaluru
The Karnataka State Madivala SC Struggle Committee has announced plans to launch an indefinite protest in Bengaluru, pressing the state government to include the Madivala community under the Scheduled Castes (SC) category. The decision was taken during a meeting on Sunday at Machideva Kalyana Mantapa, Kempegowda Nagar, chaired by the committee’s president and retired IPS officer H.S. Venkatesh.
The committee highlighted that the Madivala community, numbering over six lakh in Karnataka, remains one of the most socially, educationally, and economically disadvantaged groups in the state. They face systemic neglect and lack political representation, continuing to rely on traditional occupations for livelihood. “While several communities with greater economic and political influence seek SC status, the Madivalas — one of the weakest and most disadvantaged — remain ignored,” Venkatesh said.
Former Backward Classes Commission member G.D. Gopal accused successive governments since Independence of failing to uplift the community. He noted that despite repeated appeals over three decades and recommendations from the Dr. Annapurnamma Committee, no action has been taken by either the previous BJP or the current Congress government.
Committee member Rajagopal emphasized that the Madivalas already enjoy SC status in 15 states and two Union Territories, yet Karnataka has excluded them. The committee warned that protests would continue until the demand is met.
The meeting was attended by key community leaders including C. Nanjappa, Prakash, Shivananda Kalkeri, Advocate Keshav, B.K. Dhananjay, Umapathi, Papanna, Sujata Mayuri, Rajagopal, Hanumanthappa, and Veerareddy, who collectively urged the government to address the long-standing demand of the Madivala community to ensure social justice and equality.
