Karnataka Allocates ₹255 Crore Bengaluru Land to Dalit & OBC Mutts Despite Legal Red Flags

Despite red flags, Karnataka grants Bengaluru land worth Rs 255 crore to 22 Dalit & OBC mutts

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The Controversial Decision: Land Worth ₹255 Crore Allocated

In a move that has ignited fierce debate across Karnataka, the state government has approved the allocation of prime real estate in Bengaluru—valued at a staggering **₹255 crore**—to 22 religious institutions (mutts) led by leaders from Dalit and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities .

While framed as a historic step toward social inclusion and recognition of marginalized spiritual leadership, the decision comes with a major caveat: it involved the use of **protected gomala land**, which is legally reserved for cattle grazing and cannot be diverted without stringent approvals. Alarmingly, both the state’s Finance and Law departments had issued formal “red flags,” warning of potential legal challenges and violations of land-use regulations—but were reportedly overruled by senior ministers who dismissed the concerns as “procedural hurdles” .

What Is Gomala Land—and Why It Matters

Gomala land, derived from the Kannada words “go” (cow) and “mala” (grazing), refers to government-owned pastureland traditionally used by rural communities for livestock rearing. In urbanizing Bengaluru, these pockets of green space are increasingly rare—and legally protected under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and various judicial orders.

The Karnataka High Court has repeatedly emphasized that gomala land cannot be converted for commercial, residential, or institutional use without explicit permission from the Revenue Department and often requires legislative backing. These lands also serve as crucial ecological buffers, helping manage urban heat and groundwater recharge—a vital function in a city grappling with water scarcity .

The Bengaluru Land Allocation: Key Details

Here’s what we know about the allocation:

  • Total Value: ₹255 crore (based on current market rates in Bengaluru).
  • Beneficiaries: 22 mutts headed by seers from Scheduled Caste (SC) and OBC communities.
  • Land Type: Classified as gomala (grazing) land—legally protected from non-agricultural use.
  • Location: Prime areas within Bengaluru city limits, though exact plots haven’t been fully disclosed.
  • Government Stance: Senior cabinet ministers argued the move corrects historical exclusion of Dalit/OBC spiritual institutions from state patronage traditionally given to dominant-caste mutts like those in Udupi or Shringeri .

Internal Opposition Overruled

Documents reveal that the Finance Department raised concerns about fiscal prudence—questioning why such high-value urban land was being gifted rather than leased. Simultaneously, the Law Department warned that the diversion could violate Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and invite litigation from environmental and citizen groups [INTERNAL_LINK:karnataka-land-laws-explained]. Despite this, the political leadership pushed the decision through in a cabinet sub-committee meeting, signaling strong executive will behind the move.

Government Justification: Social Justice or Political Move?

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s administration has defended the allocation as a long-overdue corrective measure. For decades, only a handful of elite, upper-caste mutts received state support, land grants, and ceremonial recognition. This decision, officials argue, democratizes spiritual patronage and empowers marginalized communities to build educational and cultural centers.

However, critics see electoral calculus at play. With Karnataka’s SC/ST and OBC voters forming a significant bloc—especially ahead of upcoming local body elections—the timing raises eyebrows. While the intent may be noble, bypassing legal safeguards sets a dangerous precedent where social goals override constitutional land protections.

Legal experts warn this could open the floodgates for similar demands across the state. “Once you start diverting protected land for one ‘worthy’ cause, every group will claim their cause is equally worthy,” says Dr. Anjali Rao, a land rights scholar at NLSIU .

Environmentalists add another layer of concern:

  • Gomala lands act as urban lungs in concrete-heavy Bengaluru.
  • Loss of grazing land impacts traditional pastoralist communities (Gollas, Kurubas).
  • Reduced permeable surfaces worsen flooding during monsoons—a recurring crisis in the city.

Precedents and Comparisons

This isn’t the first time Karnataka has allocated land to mutts—but past grants typically involved non-protected, revenue land. The key difference here is the use of **ecologically and legally restricted gomala land**.

In 2022, the Supreme Court struck down a similar attempt in Tamil Nadu to hand over temple land without due process, reinforcing that “social purpose” cannot automatically override statutory land classifications . Karnataka’s move may now face similar judicial scrutiny.

Public and Expert Reactions

Reactions are deeply polarized:

  • Supporters: Hail it as “reparative justice” and a blow against caste hegemony in religious spaces.
  • Critics: Call it “populist land giveaway” that undermines rule of law and urban sustainability.
  • Activists: Some Dalit leaders welcome the recognition but question why the community’s needs weren’t met through schools or hospitals instead of mutt buildings.

Conclusion: Balancing Equity and Rule of Law

The Bengaluru land allocation dilemma encapsulates a core tension in modern governance: how to deliver social justice without eroding legal and environmental safeguards. Empowering marginalized mutts is a commendable goal—but not at the cost of setting aside laws designed to protect public resources. If the government truly seeks equity, it must find ways to achieve it within the framework of the rule of law, not around it. Otherwise, today’s red flags may become tomorrow’s court orders.

Sources

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