Kunjada will be mentioned along with Mali, Bagwan and Rain castes within the Muslim community in the OBC category.

The other five cases in the commission’s report include addition of Kevat-Tagwali, Kevat-Tagwale, Tagwale, Tagwali, Tagwala in Nomadic Tribes (B); Chunewala, Chunewale added along with Chunari caste in OBCs; Hadgar caste will be part of Special Backward Classes; Lad Vanjari will be the sub caste of Vanjari in Nomadic Tribes (D); and omission of double mention of Bhoyar in OBCs.

The move comes in the background of allegations against the Congress from the ruling BJP during the Lok Sabha poll campaign that the former was planning to include Muslims in the list of OBCs.

Addressing an Lok Sabha poll rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “Once again, Congress has given reservation on the basis of religion in Karnataka through backdoor by putting all Muslim castes along with the OBCs. By doing so, it has snatched a big chunk of reservation from the OBC community. Congress indulged in this dangerous game which will destroy your (future) generations.”

State BJP spokesperson did not Keshav Upadhyay respond to calls.

An official from the Other Backward Class welfare department said that merely a government procedure has been followed. “The recommendations made in the commission’s report have been discussed by the state government and accepted. We cannot comment on political side if any,” the official added.