The Panchamasali community is planning a protest near Suvarna Vidhana Soudha with 5,000 tractors, aiming to pressure the state government for 2A reservation and OBC status. Nearly 1 lakh people are expected to join the demonstration
Published Dec 09, 2024 | 7:55 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 09, 2024 | 7:55 PM
Siddaramaiah to clarify stand on Panchamasali reservation demand; protest permitted with conditions
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that his government will clarify its position on the Panchamasali community’s demand for inclusion in the 2A reservation category on Tuesday, 10 December.
The announcement comes amidst plans by the Panchamasali community to stage a protest rally near the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, with an estimated 5,000 tractors expected to participate.
BJP MLAs slammed the government as “Hitler Government” over restrictions on the Panchamasali protest in Belagavi.
The opposition BJP MLAs criticised the Congress government for imposing restrictions on the Panchamasali community’s planned protest in Belagavi on 10 December.
#Karnataka: @BJP4Karnataka MLAs slam @siddaramaiah government as “Hitler Government” over restrictions on Panchamasali Protest in #Belagavi.
The opposition BJP MLAs criticized the @INCKarnataka-led #Siddaramaiah government for imposing restrictions on the Panchamasali… pic.twitter.com/F9jegtOvvE
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) December 9, 2024
The Panchamasali community led by Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peetha seer Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami had planned a large-scale protest to lay siege to Suvarna Vidhana Soudha.
The demonstration was aimed at pressuring the state government to grant 2A reservation and OBC status to the community. Nearly 1 lakh people were expected to participate in the protest.
In response, Belagavi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan imposed prohibitory orders, barring the protest and restricting entry of protesters into the district. Security has been tightened at all entry points to Belagavi following the directive.
Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara, addressing the Legislative Assembly, stated that such a large rally could disrupt the ongoing legislative session and potentially lead to law-and-order issues.
Consequently, the government has decided to restrict the entry of tractors into the protest area. However, he confirmed that protestors could use jeeps instead, subject to participant limitations. “The key concern is maintaining law and order. We will allow the protest, but with these conditions,” he said.
The Panchamasali community, a sub-sect of the Lingayat community, is seeking inclusion in the 2A reservation category, which offers a higher level of affirmative action benefits.
BJP MLA Basanagoud Patil Yatnal, a prominent leader from the Panchamasali community, urged Siddaramaiah to take swift action on the demand, calling for a decisive stance on the matter.
In response, the chief minister explained that he had already held multiple rounds of discussions with Panchamasali leaders, religious heads, and advocates, including meetings with seer Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami and Yatnal.
He emphasised that while his government would not block the community’s demand, the inclusion of new communities in existing reservation categories requires an official application to the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
Siddaramaiah also pointed out that the previous government had not included the Panchamasali community in the 2A category. Instead, the community was allocated 2 percent reservation under the 3B category, while the Muslim community’s 4 percent reservation was removed and redirected to the Vokkaliga community under 3A.
The former government had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court agreeing to maintain the status quo on reservation categories, Siddaramaiah noted.
BJP’s Deputy Opposition Leader Arvind Bellad intervened, accusing the chief minister of misleading the House. He pointed out that the previous government had committed to maintaining the status quo on reservations in its affidavit to the Supreme Court.
In response, Siddaramaiah reaffirmed that his government would present the Supreme Court’s orders in the House the following day.
“I am not making my own statements. I will present the Supreme Court’s orders tomorrow. I cannot alter the Supreme Court’s orders,” he said. The chief minister reiterated that his government would take a definitive stand on the issue by tuesday.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Mahesh M Goudar)
