Should the Karnataka Government Take the One-Week Deadline on Internal Reservations Seriously?

Bengaluru, September 15 (NationPress) The Karnataka Government must take the one-week deadline concerning internal reservations seriously, warned the Karnataka BJP unit on Monday.

Karnataka BJP General Secretary P. Rajeev, addressing the media at the party's office, Jagannath Bhavan in Bengaluru, stated, “The government has only two days left. They should have convened with us to discuss the situation and clarify the steps being taken for a review process.”

He criticized the government for neglecting specific communities, asserting that this disregard will have ramifications.

“The deadline concludes this Wednesday at 5 P.M.. If the government persists in ignoring the plight of these marginalized communities, it will face repercussions,” he warned.

He questioned the government's inaction, asking, “What measures have been implemented? What is the government's position on the protests from around 35,000 to 40,000 individuals?”

Rajeev also called out Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who acknowledged the protestors' memorandum, cautioning that a more significant protest would be organized if necessary.

“We are awaiting the government's decision until Wednesday at 5 P.M.. After that, we will determine our next steps,” he said.

He criticized the internal reservation policies of the Karnataka Government as unscientific and unconstitutional, emphasizing that they are not adhering to Supreme Court guidelines.

“No reports or recommendations have been acted upon,” he added.

Rajeev pointed out that under the previous BJP administration led by Basavaraj Bommai, a 4.5 percent reservation was allocated to the Bhovi, Banjara, Koracha, and Korama sub-castes in the Scheduled Caste category, along with an additional 1 percent for 59 nomadic castes, totaling 5.5 percent.

“However, the current government has merged these categories, offering only 5 percent reservation, effectively reducing it by 0.5 percent. This led to our large protest at Freedom Park on September 10, where Minister Ramalinga Reddy received our memorandum. We provided the government with a one-week deadline,” he explained.

To date, the government has not clarified any actions taken.

“Instead, they have attempted to file criminal charges against me and other protestors, demonstrating their desperation. By lodging FIRs against the protestors, the government indirectly admits to being shaken by the protest,” Rajeev claimed.

In response to inquiries about CM Siddaramaiah's remarks on equality and religious conversions, Rajeev responded: “That is not the subject of today’s discussion. Siddaramaiah should clarify how much he has done personally until the age of 75 to curb such conversions.”

He interpreted Siddaramaiah’s statements as contradicting the teachings of the revered saint and poet from Karnataka, Kanakadasa, who advocated against caste-based conflicts. “Let’s discuss how we can implement that message another time. Yet, new castes have emerged. What is their basis?” he questioned.

He also raised concerns about the emergence of new castes, stating: “While there are Banjara and Lambani castes, terms like Banjara Christian or Bovi Christian do not exist. Where did these new castes originate?”

Regarding BJP leader Pratap Simha facing legal challenges over his critique of Booker awardee Banu Mushtaq at the Dusshera inauguration, Rajeev noted: “When assessing an incident through both religious and legal lenses, perspectives differ. Religious sentiment is one aspect; the law is another.”

On the Dussehra controversy, he stated, “Accusations of hurting religious sentiments have emerged. Pratap Simha approached the court in his personal capacity; the party did not intervene.”

Leaders such as Obadenahalli Muniyappa from the Bovi community and Prashanth, BJP SC Morcha State Office Secretary were present.