JD(S) State secretary Shivakumar Natikar alleged that members of the Talawar community are being denied Scheduled Tribe (ST) caste certificates in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts, resulting in serious hardship in accessing education, employment, and welfare benefits.
Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Saturday, Mr. Natikar said that the Talawar community is recognised as a Scheduled Tribe under the Constitution, in accordance with the Scheduled Tribe Amendment Act, 2020. However, he alleged that authorities in the two districts have stopped issuing ST certificates, contrary to government orders and circulars.
Mr. Natikar alleged that Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge was behind the decision to stop issuing Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates to members of the Talawar community in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts. He claimed that the Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner had, acting on Mr. Kharge’s directions, instructed officials not to issue the certificates, resulting in the community being denied constitutionally guaranteed benefits.
Mr. Natikar said the denial of certificates has affected the community across sectors, including education, recruitment, promotions, and access to reservation benefits. Students, he said, are being deprived of hostel facilities, scholarships, and admissions to institutions such as Navodaya schools, Morarji Desai residential schools, and Kendriya Vidyalayas, as well as professional courses in engineering, medicine, and agriculture.
