Nomadic Communities End 14-Day Delhi Protest After Karnataka Assures Reservation and Welfare Package
New Delhi, October 15, 2025 — A 14-day-long protest by Karnataka’s Nomadic Communities in Delhi has reached a promising conclusion, with the Karnataka Government granting in-principle approval for their core demands, including a 1% separate reservation. The “Confederation of Untouchable Nomadic Communities of Karnataka,” representing 49 Denotified and Nomadic communities, has called off its agitation following productive talks mediated by Congress leader B.K. Hariprasad.
ಅಲೆಮಾರಿ ಸಮುದಾಯಗಳ ಹೋರಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಜಯ: 1% ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ ಮೀಸಲಾತಿ, ನಿಗಮಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿದ್ಧರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ತಾತ್ವಿಕ ಒಪ್ಪಿಗೆ
The hopeful turning point came during discussions held this morning (October 15, 2025, 11:00 AM), which saw the state government agree in principle to a 1% separate reservation under Category A, the establishment of a dedicated development corporation for the 49 castes, and the announcement of a comprehensive economic package for their upliftment. The final process and implementation details are set to be determined in a crucial meeting scheduled for the first week after Diwali in Bengaluru.
Two Weeks of Relentless Agitation
The struggle began on October 2, when nearly 600 representatives and artists from 59 nomadic castes arrived in Delhi. They staged a powerful and symbolic protest at Jantar Mantar, captivating attention with their traditional costumes and performances, before demonstrating outside the AICC headquarters.
When AICC representative Abhishek Dutt met the delegation, he requested that they return to Karnataka, assuring them their demands would be brought to the party’s top leadership. However, the communities were resolute. At a meeting held that same evening at Ambedkar Bhavan, representatives of all 59 nomadic communities unanimously resolved: “We will not leave Delhi until a clear decision comes from the government”. The sit-in protest continued at the AICC premises until the resolution was found.
High-Level Intervention Leads to Breakthrough
The breakthrough followed the intervention of K. Raju, AICC in-charge for Dalit, Backward, and Minority Affairs, who requested B.K. Hariprasad to mediate. Hariprasad, who returned from meeting Rahul Gandhi in Chandigarh, called the delegation for talks. AICC Secretary and MLA Mrs. Aarti Krishna also attended the meeting. Hariprasad conveyed that Rahul Gandhi, despite his mother’s ill health preventing his attendance, had instructed them to find an immediate resolution.
During the talks, the delegation pressed their three core demands:
- 1% separate reservation under Category A for Nomadic Communities.
- A dedicated development corporation exclusively for the 49 nomadic castes.
- A comprehensive economic package for their upliftment.
Following this, B.K. Hariprasad immediately convened a conference call with key leaders, including K. Raju, Gurdeep Sappal, Venugopal, Randeep Surjewala, and H.C. Mahadevappa, which resulted in the significant in-principle approvals from the Karnataka Government.
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Final Meeting and Future Warning
The implementation of the agreement will be formalized at a final meeting in Bengaluru in the first week after Diwali. The gathering is expected to include Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, senior ministers, and Congress leaders like B.K. Hariprasad, K. Raju, and Randeep Surjewala. Minister H.C. Mahadevappa personally spoke to the delegation over the phone, assuring them that the issue would “definitely be resolved” and requesting them to return to Karnataka.
In response to the positive developments, the Confederation has decided to end its protest and return home. While expressing confidence that the Government of Karnataka and AICC leadership will stand by their commitments , the Confederation issued a clear warning: “If our expectations are once again betrayed, we will return to Delhi”. They further urged that Rahul Gandhi must personally meet the community leaders to hear their concerns and demands for justice.
Delegation Participants
The discussions involved representatives including A.S. Prabhakar, Manjunath Dayatkar, Basavarj Narankar, Chavadi Lokesh, Mandya Rajanna, Sandeep Kumar, Sharanappa Channadasar, and Hanumantu (from the Sindolu Community). Allied organizations also played an active role, with leaders such as Kariyappa Gudimani (SC Internal Reservation Committee), Noor Sridhar (President, Karnataka Janashakti), and Tara Rao (Eddelu Karnataka) participating in the dialogue.
Key Quotes
- On the resolve of the community:
“We will not leave Delhi until a clear decision comes from the government.”
- On the conditional nature of the peace/warning:
“If our expectations are once again betrayed, we will return to Delhi.”
- On the need for high-level recognition:
“Rahul Gandhi must personally meet the community leaders and hear their pain and demands for justice.”
- Assurance from the government side:
Minister H.C. Mahadevappa: The issue would “definitely be resolved.”
Short Tweets (for Social Media)
- Focus on Victory:
BIG WIN! Karnataka’s Nomadic Communities end 14-day protest in Delhi. Gov’t grants in-principle approval for 1% separate reservation & a dedicated Development Corp. A hopeful turning point. #NomadicRights #Karnataka
- Focus on the Warning/Resolve:
The warning is clear: “If our expectations are once again betrayed, we will return to Delhi.” Nomadic communities call off protest after Karnataka assurances. Final meeting after Diwali with CM Siddaramaiah. #DelhiProtest #Reservation
- ocus on the Core Demand:
Breakthrough! After a relentless 14-day struggle, Karnataka agrees in-principle to 1% separate reservation for Nomadic Communities. A dedication to justice for 49 castes. #JusticeForNomads #BKHariprasad
- Focus on Political Action:
Protest Ends! Following mediation by B.K. Hariprasad, the Karnataka Govt agrees to Nomadic Community demands. Final implementation meet with CM, Surjewala, and leaders after Diwali. #AICC #KarnatakaPolitics
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