BELAGAVI: With the Madiga community planning a rally in Bengaluru for categorisation of reservation among Schedule Castes as per the recommendations of the Justice Sadashiva Commission, the heat has now shifted onto Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Legislators belonging to other communities want the government to reject the commission’s report, saying it has no constitutional binding.
Around 26 legislators from Schedule Caste, Bhovi, Lambani and Right communities called on Siddaramaiah and warned of political turbulence if the recommendations were implemented. They argued that the Commission’s findings were not based on a scientific survey. They assured that they will accept the 2011 caste-based census conducted by the Backward Classes Commission.
The delegation, including Minister H C Mahadevappa, G Parameshwara, P M Narendra Swamy, Shivaraj Thangadagi, Shivamurthy, indepdent MLA Raju, former Minister Parameshwara Naik, BJP MLC D S Veeraiah, JD(S) MLA H K Kumaraswamy, B B Ningaiah and others said this would further exploit and divide the society .
The Sadashiva Commission has divided 15 per cent reservation to Madiga community with a population of 32,35,517 (5.02 per cent) whereas SC Right with a population of 30,93,693 gets 5 per cent, Lambani gets 1 per cent reservation and Bhovi and other communities get 3.54 per cent reservation.
According to the 2011 census population of Madiga community was 25,62,413 (3.66 per cent reservation), Right community was 41,50,564 (5.94 pc), Lambani 3,87,251 (1 pc) and Bhovi community was 26,51,067 (3 pc)
The legislators said there is a huge difference in population between the two reports and this has lead to further confusion among these communities.
MLA P M Narendraswamy and Raju argued that the Right community is no way involved in industrial business and disputed that the Right community practices untouchablity on Madiga community.
A few other legislators warned that splitting SC/STs based on population will spell doom to Congress in elections as the Right community, who have supported the party, would be disturbed.
However, the CM assured that the government was in no hurry and would consider their arguments and sentiments to see that no community is not let down.