Parameshwara Urges Modi to Include Karnataka's SC/ST Quota in 9th Schedule

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate a constitutional amendment to include the state's 2022 law enhancing reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, seeking protection for the increased quotas of 17 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.

In separate communications, he has also written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, seeking their intervention in the matter.

"The principles of social justice and cooperative federalism must command equal respect across the States of our Union," Parameshwara said in his November 12 letter to the Prime Minister, arguing that Karnataka's request deserved the same constitutional consideration extended to Tamil Nadu's 69 per cent reservation framework.

The Karnataka High Court, in its October 12, 2026 judgment, struck down the provisions enhancing SC reservation from 15 to 17 per cent and ST reservation from 3 to 7 per cent, holding that the resulting aggregate reservation of 56 per cent exceeded the prevailing 50 per cent ceiling. The court also examined the requirement of consultation with the National Commissions for SCs and STs.

The state government has challenged the judgment before the Supreme Court, Parameshwara said, adding that there was a need for an enduring constitutional solution through appropriate legislative and constitutional processes.

He pointed out that the enhanced reservation was based on the recommendations of a commission headed by retired Karnataka High Court judge H N Nagamohan Das, constituted to examine the representation of SCs and STs in education and public employment.

For nearly seven decades since 1958, reservation percentages for the two communities remained unchanged despite an increase in their population and continuing social and educational disadvantages, he said.

The 2011 Census recorded SCs and STs as constituting approximately 17.15 per cent and 6.95 per cent respectively of Karnataka's population. The Nagamohan Das Commission recommended increasing their quotas to 17 per cent and 7 per cent and suggested placing the legislation in the Ninth Schedule to secure constitutional protection.

The Karnataka Legislature enacted the law, which received the Governor's assent on January 11, 2023, and came into effect retrospectively from November 1, 2022.

Citing the precedent of Tamil Nadu, Parameshwara said Parliament had, through the Constitution (76th Amendment) Act, 1994, included the state's legislation providing for 69 per cent reservation in the Ninth Schedule.

"If Parliament could act to protect a reservation framework of 69 per cent in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka's considered request for 56 per cent reservation, founded upon the recommendations of a judicial commission, deserves no less constitutional attention," he wrote.

He noted that Karnataka had submitted its proposal to the Centre on March 23, 2023, followed by a resolution passed by the state Legislative Assembly on December 18, 2025. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also written to the Prime Minister on April 16, 2026, reiterating the demand.

The Union Government had informed the Lok Sabha on July 25, 2026, that it had received Karnataka's proposal but did not consider inclusion in the Ninth Schedule appropriate at that stage, as the matter was pending before the High Court, he said.

Parameshwara urged the Centre to initiate the process of bringing an appropriate constitutional amendment Bill in Parliament, facilitate consultations with the National Commissions for SCs and STs under Articles 338(9) and 338A(9), and address the constitutional and procedural issues identified by the High Court.

He also sought coordinated and time-bound action by the Ministries of Law and Justice, Social Justice and Empowerment, Tribal Affairs and Home Affairs.

Beyond Karnataka's case, he called for a wider national consultation on the continuing relevance and application of the 50 per cent reservation ceiling, taking into account changing social realities, the experience of different states and constitutional principles of equality and affirmative action.

"This is a matter that must rise above political affiliations and differences between Governments. The cause of social justice belongs to the entire nation," he said.

He urged the Prime Minister to treat the issue as one of national constitutional importance and ensure a positive, time-bound decision on Karnataka's longstanding proposal, stating that the issue concerned the educational and employment opportunities of lakhs of SC and ST citizens.