SHIVAMOGGA: Panchamasalis should be given 2A category reservation in the coming Lok Sabha elections or the consequences will be grave, said senior BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal.
Yatnal addressed a protest meeting held at Gopi Circle here on Wednesday, demanding the state government to provide 2A category reservation for the Panchamasali sub-caste of the Lingayat community. Later, the community members took out a protest march in the city, led by Basava Jayamrithyunjaya Swami, seer of Panchamasali Peetha of Kudalasangama.
Yatnal said the protest is not for any political gain, but for the development of the community. This protest aims to raise the voice for reservation of Panchamasalis and several other downtrodden castes, he added.
Yatnal said many people conspired to spoil the movement launched by Basava Jayamrithyunjaya Swami. A minister from the same community tried to lure the seer by offering Rs 10 crore to stop the movement. However, the seer refused the offer stating he is not ready to sell the Panchamasali community at any cost, he stated.
“I am not lobbying with the seer for any prominent posts in politics. Many have tried to ruin my political career in the last Assembly election, yet I emerged victorious,” he said.
Many have termed the movement as an act of dividing the Lingayath community, however, it is an attempt to provide justice to the community, Yatnal observed. The reservation will provide education and job reservation to poor students of the Panchamasali community.
“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be asked to induct Panchamasalis under 2A category. If he fails to provide a suitable solution, a statewide agitation will be launched,” he added.
Basava Jayamrithyunjaya Swami said some political leaders who came to power in the name of the community have failed to provide reservation to the community. Panchamalis should be given 2A category reservation within the coming Lok Sabha election, or else the community will vote for those candidates who support the movement in the coming polls.
“The movement is not against or in favour of any political party,” the seer added.