CM calls demand for hike in quota 'unconstitutional'

BENGALURU: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday opposed the Panchamasali Lingayat community's demand for increased reservation, deeming it "unconstitutional".

- HT Correspondent

Addressing the legislative council on Thursday, Siddaramaiah clarified that the move to reclassify the community from OBC Category 3B to Category 2A conflicts with constitutional provisions. "What you are demanding is against Article 340 of the Constitution," he said virtually, adding that the community is not merely advocating but "pressurising" the government.

The protests by the Panchamasali Lingayat community on Tuesday turned violent as the demonstrators attempted to enter the assembly premises.

The community had initially launched peaceful protests demanding inclusion in the 2A category of the OBC reservation matrix, which provides 15% reservation, instead of their current 3B category that offers 5%. Clashes erupted when protesters allegedly threw stones at the police, prompting the lathi charge.

A total of 24 people, including demonstrators and police personnel, sustained injuries. Many were detained including Basava Jayamruthunjaya Swami of Panchamasali Peetha, BJP MLAs Basangouda Patil Yatnal and Arvind Bellad, and Rajya Sabha MP Iranna Kadadi, police said.

Siddaramaiah on Thursday explained that he had previously discussed the issue with Panchamasali seer Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya. "I discussed with the seer twice and told him that the demand is unconstitutional and the decision of the previous government was also unconstitutional," he said.

While he acknowledged the right to protest, he stressed that such actions must align with constitutional principles. "Protesting is not wrong, but demanding something against the Constitution is not right," Siddaramaiah added.

Referring to the decision by the previous BJP government, led by Basavaraj Bommai, which restructured reservation quotas and reallocated 4% of the Muslim reservation, distributing it equally between Vokkaligas and Lingayats, Siddaramaiah said, "Why was this decision taken? Was it to appease the Panchamasalis or instigate Muslims?"