Kudubi community to be included in Scheduled Tribe list, says Ivan D’Souza

Mangaluru: After years of persistent demands, the Kudubi community, found largely in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts, is set to be recognised under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Legislative Council member Ivan D’Souza confirmed that the state government has moved to include the community in the ST list following approval from the Backward Classes Welfare Department.

Longstanding demand gains traction

Speaking to the media, D’Souza said that the community has been seeking ST recognition for decades. “The state has now agreed to shift the Kudubi community from Category-1 to the Scheduled Tribe category. It is now the responsibility of the Union Government to take the final step,” he added.

MP Cabrajesh Chowta also urged the Centre to expedite the process, stating that official recognition would ensure social justice and access to welfare schemes for the Kudubi community.

Government-backed study supported inclusion

The push for recognition began formally in 2015, when the government issued an order directing a socio-economic study of the Kudubi community. The study was carried out by the Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute, Mysuru, with research support from the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru.

The final report, submitted in 2021, strongly recommended that the Kudubi community be included in the Scheduled Tribe category. Based on these findings, the state government initiated action to forward the proposal.

Awaiting Centre’s approval

While the state has endorsed the inclusion, the final decision lies with the Central Government. Leaders have stressed the need for the Centre to take immediate steps so that Kudubi families can avail benefits related to education, employment, and other welfare measures reserved for Scheduled Tribes.

Conclusion

With the state government’s endorsement, the Kudubi community is closer than ever to being recognised as a Scheduled Tribe. The move, once cleared by the Centre, will significantly impact the community’s access to opportunities and welfare schemes, fulfilling a demand pending for decades.