Belagavi: Leaders of the Vokkaliga group in Karnataka submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai Friday, searching for 12 per cent reservation for admission in academic establishments and authorities jobs within the poll-bound state.
Ministers and legislators from all political events, together with the Bharatiya Janata Get together (BJP), have urged CM Bommai to extend the reservation quota from the prevailing 4 per cent beneath 3A class of the Backward Courses checklist.
Karnataka Greater Training Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan additionally mentioned that Vokkaligas, a primarily farming group, has been steadily shedding land on account of urbanisation and industrialisation within the state.
“At present, class 3A which represents 20 per cent of the inhabitants has been awarded solely 4 per cent reservation. Out of this, the Vokkaliga group has been getting solely 3 per cent reservation,” he mentioned in Belagavi.
Vokkaligas are believed to account for almost 14 per cent of the state’s inhabitants, making it the second largest group within the state, although there isn’t any empirical information to assist this declare.
Political events rely upon the assist of particular person caste teams throughout elections and Vokkaligas have consolidated behind former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) within the Outdated Mysuru area the place members of this group are present in massive numbers.
The BJP and Congress have been making an attempt to achieve out to this group to higher their very own probabilities in subsequent yr’s polls.
“Beforehand, Shri Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt had submitted an analogous memorandum. Now the ministers, MLAs and MLCs have made an attraction. All these might be despatched to the Backward Courses Fee,” mentioned CM Bommai.
In the meantime, state Income Minister R. Ashok mentioned it was a grave injustice that Bunts, Reddys and Kunchitigas (sub-sects of the Vokkaliga group) weren’t included within the OBC checklist and this ought to be rectified on the earliest.
The Panchamasali Lingayat and Maratha communities of the state have additionally been demanding greater reservation within the state beneath the 2A class. The communities just lately held a present of energy by holding mega rallies reverse the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha the place the winter session of the Karnataka legislature is being held.
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