Bengaluru: The Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission's report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs) is expected to be formally placed before the cabinet on Thursday, but a final decision on its implementation is likely to be deferred amid growing dissent within Dalit communities. The report, which was submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday, has stirred discontent even before being made public. Communities from the Right sect — including Holeya, Lambani, and Bhovi — have opposed their alleged reclassification and reduced quantum of reservation. Groups from the Left sect, notably Madigas, are demanding immediate implementation of the report. Sources say the cabinet will take time to examine the politically sensitive report. Ministers are expected to study the document and share their views at a later meeting, like how the government handled the caste census report. "The final call will be taken only after ministers give their views," said a minister.

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A section of the Right sect alleges that the commission exceeded its mandate and demanded that the report be scrapped. A delegation of Lambani and Banjara representatives, led by Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani, met Siddaramaiah Wednesday to express their objections. "There are some genuine concerns about the report, although the cabinet is yet to accept and release it for public consumption," said former Congress MLC Prakash Rathod, who was part of the delegation. "The commission is said to have reclassified some castes as touchable and untouchable and the move amounts to division of Dalits, which is against the Constitution. We have brought these issues to CM's notice." They even urged the CM to defer placing the report before the cabinet on Thursday, but ministers from the Left sect urged the CM to accept the report. While it has not been included in the cabinet agenda, they said the matter would definitely be taken up in the meeting. The commission has reportedly proposed a redistribution of the 17% Scheduled Caste quota into five categories. 6% for Left sect, 5% for Right, 4% for Banjara-Bhovi-Koracha-Korama groups, and the remaining 2% divided among smaller castes and Adi Karnataka/Andhra/Dravida groups. Compared to the JC Madhuswamy committee report from the previous BJP government, the changes are marginal. But Right sect quota is said to be reduced from 5.5% to 5%, and the share for touchable groups from 4.5% to 4%. Social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa, who will present the report, himself belongs to the Right sect. Many from his community recently met at Home Minister G Parameshwara's residence and resolved to defend their share. "It is most important that we ensure unity in the community," Parameshwara said. "Any discordant note will lead to further delay in providing social justice to deserving castes. The cabinet will deliberate and implement recommendations only through discussion." The delay has drawn criticism from the BJP. Party MP Govind Karjol, from the Left sect, accused the government of wasting Rs 150 crore on the commission and said the JC Madhuswamy report could have sufficed. Responding to criticism, Justice Das said: "If some people have grievances about the report, they are free to approach court. Also, it is up to the government to accept or reject the report."