Members of Koli Kabbaliga community staging a protest in Kalaburagi on Monday demanding Scheduled Tribes status.
| Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI
Thousands of members belonging to the Koli, Kabbaliga, Ambiga, Besta and Barik communities took out a protest march in Kalaburagi on Monday, demanding that their communities be included in the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list.
The protest began at Jagat Circle after the religious head of the community Sri Shanta Bheeshma Chowdaiah Swamy of Sri Nijasharana Ambigara Chowdaiah Peeta, Narsipura, Haveri, offered floral tributes to B.R. Ambedkar and social reformer Basaveshwara.
After the religious leader flagged off the protest march, the protestors waving flags bearing the image of Nijasharana Ambigara Chowdaiah reached the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where the community leaders addressed the rally.
Around 3,000 people from various parts of the district participated in the protest march. Throughout the protest march they raised slogans against the State government and praised the community leader late Vittal Heroor.
Vehicular traffic was disrupted for about an hour at Jagat Circle, while the main road outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office was blocked till early evening.
Addressing the gathering, MLC Talawar Sabbanna said that the communities have been demanding Scheduled Tribes status since 1996. Although proposals seeking inclusion under Scheduled Tribes were forwarded to the Central government several times, they have been repeatedly rejected and returned.
Mr. Sabanna urged the State government to submit a fresh recommendation to the Central government along with proper documentation.
Community leader Shivakumar Natekar said that the agitation is not directed against any political party or government but is aimed at securing Constitutional rights.
Mr. Natekar said that despite the community being deprived of benefits available to Scheduled Tribes for nearly three decades, the successive governments have failed to address the issue effectively.
He criticised the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, which claims to represent marginalised sections, for failing to forward the proposal to the Centre even two years after coming to power.
He urged Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and district in-charge Priyank Kharge to intervene and ensure that the long-pending demand of Koli-Kabbaliga community is fulfilled.
Some protestors also said that a section of community leaders have tried to foil the protest by misguiding people and preventing their participation by stopping them on the outskirts of the city.
MLC N. Ravi Kumar, community leaders Sharanappa Talawar and Shobha Bani and others also spoke at the protest rally.
Published – December 30, 2025 07:57 pm IST
