Shantaram Siddi Becomes India's First MLC From The Siddi Community After Being Nominated By Karnataka Govt

Shantaram Siddi, an activist from Siddi community in Karnataka has been nominated as Member of Legislative Council by the BJP Government led by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa. This is the first time a member of this microscopic minority Community will find a place in a legislative body in the country.

The Siddis of Karnataka, are an ethnic group who descended from the Bantu-speaking people of Southeast Africa. They were brought to India by Portuguese merchants about 400 years ago.

Largely settled in suburbs and forests, Siddis often work as coolies and unskilled labourers on plantations. They were recognised as a Scheduled Tribe (ST) by the Government of Karnataka.