Karnataka Quota Controversy: FIR Filed Against Protesters, Panchamasali Seer Calls for Statewide Protest
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Bengaluru, Dec 11 (NationPress) The police took suo-moto cognizance of the violence that erupted during the protest by the Panchamasali Lingayats demanding reservation in Karnataka's Belagavi, leading to the registration of FIRs against protesters on Wednesday.
The Hirebagewadi Police in Belagavi have filed the FIR under several sections of the BNS Act, including 115 (2), 109 (1), 118 (2), 117 (2), 352, 351 (2), 132, 121, 223, 324, 189, 189 (3), 191 (2), and 190, for obstructing police duties and assaulting officers.
The protestors have also been charged with an attempt to murder police personnel.
In the meantime, Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peeth seer Basavaraj Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami, who spearheaded the protest, denounced the police's actions and initiated a call for a statewide rasta roko protest on Thursday (December 12).
The seer accused the police of masquerading as civilians and instigating violence against the protestors.
He claimed that the police acted with malice in their assault on members of the Panchamasali community, including lawyers and women.
Furthermore, the seer urged community MLAs and MLCs to address the issue during the assembly session on Thursday.
He stated that by allowing police to attack community members, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has demonstrated his anti-Lingayat stance.
When questioned about the Karnataka Backward Caste Federation's plea to the Chief Minister not to grant reservations to Panchamasali Lingayats, the seer emphasized their constitutional right to present such requests.
"The government must operate in accordance with the Constitution. The Constitution grants us the right to request reservations," he remarked.
In related news, former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai condemned the violence that occurred during the Panchamasali community's protest in Belagavi on Tuesday, criticizing the actions of the officials involved.
He described the police officers as arrogant and heavy-handed.
Bommai called for the immediate suspension of officers implicated in the lathi charge.
He also urged the Chief Minister to engage in discussions with leaders and elders of the Panchamasali community to resolve the situation amicably.
Bommai further requested the state government to robustly defend the legal validity of their reservation order in the Supreme Court and to take necessary actions to implement the new reservation policy introduced by the previous BJP administration.
In a series of social media statements, Bommai highlighted that the Panchamasali community is the largest faction within the Lingayat sect and plays a vital role in the state's agricultural landscape.
He recalled that during the 2011-12 tenure, the BJP government led by B.S. Yediyurappa worked towards including the Panchamasali community in the backward classes list. In 2016, the Panchamasali community petitioned the Backward Classes Commission, chaired by Kantharaj, to be included in Category 2A.
