The backward Class movement in Karnataka is a desire of the underprivileged people to develop their own potentialities and contribute to the economic development of the nation. In every society, some groups of people are higher and some are lower due to the opportunities they have in general. By such opportunities, well-off people equip themselves and pursue careers which giver them prestige and profit.

By contrast, the lower or other backward classes have no opportunities to equip themselves. A new awareness arose among the non-Brahmins in the princely state of Mysore. Vokkaligas, Lingayats, and Muslims of Mysore had realized their position of relative deprivation as against the Brahmins.

By 1917, these groups form an alliance called Prajamitra Mandali in 1918, this mandali pleaded Maharaja of Mysore for the representation in legislature, reservation in posts of public services and educational institutions. In 1918, a committee of six non-official members presided over by Sir Leslie Miller.

Miller committee recommended the acceptance, of all the demands. Sirtoe then Backward Classes in princely Mysore state have availed benefits in the field erf education, employment, and political arena.

1. Naganna Gowda Commission: The Karnataka Government appointed a backward class commission in 1960 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Naganna Gowda. It is the First Backward Class Commission off Karnataka, The commission has submitted its report on 1961, which recommends 15% for SCs, 3% for STs and 50% OBCs, providing total 68% of reservation, The government attempted to implement the report was stayed by the Supreme Court. However, in 1963 the government issued an order guaranteeing 15% of reservation to SCs, 3% STs and 30% to OBCs.

2. L. G Havanoor Commission: In 1972 the government has appointed the second backward class commission headed by Sri L. G Havanoor. This commission in its report submitted in 1975 stated that though more than 75% of the people in the state belonged to backward classes and deserved reservation facilities. There was no constitutional provision for giving it. Hence, it made provision for up to 50% reservation. Government made provision for 58% reservation. However it was challenged in Supreme Court and govt, gave a submission to court stating to initiate a new commission.

3. Venkataswamy Commission: In 1983, the government has appointed the Venkataswamy Commission, which gave its report in 1986. The report created widespread dissatisfaction. The government decided not to implement the report but to establish a new commission to find an amicable settlement to this problem.

4. Chinnappa Reddy Commission: The government instituted the Chinnappa Reddy commission in 1990, which has been comparatively more widely welcomed. The commission seems to have tried its best to uphold social justice. In Karnataka, the SCs and STs together enjoyed 18% while the OBCs, quota is 32%.

Based on the Mandal commission’s report, the supreme court of India gave directions to establish a permanent Backward Classes Commission in the centre as well as in states and union territories. Accordingly, a permanent backward classes commission was set up in Karnataka Sri K. Narayana Rai (1994- 1997), Prof, Ravi Verma Kumar (1997-2000), Sri Muniraju (2001- 2003), Sri Siddalingaih. (2003-2006), Dr. C. S. Dwarakanath (2007-2010) N. Shankarappa (2011 – 13) headed the Backward Classes Commission in Karnataka.

At present, H. Kantharaj is the chairman of Karnataka state Back word-class commission. The commission recommends for inclusion or exclusion of a caste in the backward class list. In Karnataka 101 and 51 Triber are enlisted as scheduled caster and scheduled tribes Respectively.