Why Are K'taka BJP Leaders Protesting for Madiga Reservation on August 1?

Bengaluru, July 22 (NationPress) The Madiga organizations in Karnataka have announced plans to hold protests in front of the Deputy Commissioners' offices throughout the state on August 1, aiming to attract the attention of the state government regarding the issue of internal reservation, according to former Union Minister and senior BJP leader A. Narayanaswamy.

During a joint press briefing in Bengaluru alongside former Deputy CM and BJP MP Govind Karjol, Narayanaswamy remarked, "It will mark one year on August 1 since Justice D.Y. Chandrachud delivered the Supreme Court's verdict on internal reservation. Should the Karnataka cabinet fail to pass a resolution and present it in the Assembly by the 10th, the Madiga community will initiate a Karnataka bandh. A meeting involving 4,000 to 5,000 individuals will be convened to decide this matter."

He issued a warning that a non-cooperation movement would commence, preventing the state government from functioning.

"Even the Chief Minister acknowledged earlier that the Congress lost due to its negligence in implementing internal reservation. The Madiga community is determined to ensure that this does not happen again," he added.

Narayanaswamy highlighted that the Madiga community has been advocating for internal reservation for over three and a half decades.

“In Telangana, internal reservation was established in 1999 to rectify historical injustices against the Madigas. The Telangana High Court recognized the necessity of internal reservation in 2004,” he stated.

He criticized the Congress party for its previous rejection of the need for internal reservation.

"Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, the most marginalized members of our society have yet to receive reservations. The Congress party has shown no real commitment. Despite governing the state for extended periods, the Congress and other parties have disregarded the Madiga community," he alleged.

Referring to a statement made by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge advising Telangana CM Revanth Reddy against rushing the internal reservation process, he pointed out that Reddy nonetheless moved forward with its implementation. "In Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu executed internal reservation. In Punjab, it has also been executed. However, the Karnataka government is hindering progress," he charged.

Narayanaswamy recalled that after the Madiga community protested in Belagavi five months ago, ministers had promised implementation within three months. Subsequently, the Naganmohan Das Commission was formed with a 40-day deadline, which was later extended.

"Numerous records highlight the government's lack of cooperation with Naganmohan Das. The government failed to provide essential data regarding political and employment representation. There is confusion for Naganmohan Das. After 6-7 months, internal reservation remains unimplemented," he criticized.

He expressed skepticism about the Chief Minister’s commitment and governance.

“Every time, they claim to be defenders of backward classes. They had promised to implement the Kantharaj Report. We placed our trust in the Chief Minister, but he succumbed to the high command’s directives. It has been 4 years and 10 months since the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections were conducted. Yet, the government has failed to deliver justice to backward classes,” he alleged.

Govind Karjol urged the government to initiate internal reservation starting August 16 and warned against a scenario resembling the civil disobedience movement.

"Congress leaders, including the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, national leaders, and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, claim they have upheld their promises to Dalits. This commitment was made during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. In their first cabinet meeting, they asserted that it would be implemented.

However, they utilized excuses to establish the Naganmohan Das Committee, which was supposed to deliver its report within 40 days. Now, six months have passed. This is nothing short of betrayal and deception by the government," he contended.

He further alleged that even when Naganmohan Das requested certain information and communicated with the government, he received no response. "The government is concealing everything. This serves as a warning bell—implement internal reservation by August 16 or face agitation," he declared.

State spokesperson H. Venkatesh Dodderi, SC Morcha State Vice-President Hoodi Manjunath, and leader Santosh were also present at the press conference.