In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has held that a community cannot be assigned to two different reservation categories for education and employment.

The verdict was delivered in response to a petition filed by V Sumitra, a resident of Kollegal taluk in the former Mysuru district, who challenged the state government’s inconsistent classification of the Balajiga/Banajiga community.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj, who presided over the case, directed the state to uniformly classify the Balajiga/Banajiga community under Group ‘B’ for both educational and employment purposes. The court found that the existing system—placing the community under Group ‘B’ for education (as per Article 15(4)) and under Group ‘D’ for employment (under Article 16(4))—was discriminatory and unconstitutional.

Sumitra was appointed as a primary school teacher in 1993 under the OBC quota, based on a Group ‘B’ caste certificate. However, in 1996, she received a notice stating that her community was listed under Group ‘D’ for employment, rendering her caste certificate invalid for job reservations.

After multiple failed appeals, including one before the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal, Sumitra discovered a 1986 government notification that confirmed the community's dual classification. She contended that Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution share a common objective—ensuring social justice for historically disadvantaged groups—and thus, a contradictory classification defeats the very purpose of affirmative action.

Justice Govindaraj concurred, stating, “The principle of equality before law under Article 14 encompasses equal treatment in the matter of reservations as well. The same community cannot be placed in different groups depending on the context — such a division is inherently discriminatory.”

Declaring the dual classification “void ab initio,” the court quashed the orders that had invalidated Sumitra’s claim to Group ‘B’ status in employment. It further directed the state government to continue her employment as a primary school teacher under the Group ‘B’ reservation category, acknowledging her rightful eligibility.