Internal SC quota: Forming commission not "delay tactics," says Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Oct 31: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that the government's decision to form a commission to gather empirical data for providing internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SC), is not "delay tactics".
The cabinet on Monday gave its consent for providing internal reservation among SCs and decided to constitute a commission under a retired High Court judge, which will be asked to submit the report in three months.
"By forming this commission, the government is ensuring a fair, scientific, and unbiased implementation without any delay tactics. The government is committed to social justice and will work inclusively, without compromising on the interests of any community," Siddaramaiah said in a statement.
A section of SCs, especially 'SC Left', has been demanding internal reservation, alleging only a few influential sub-castes were taking away a majority of the benefits while many communities were still marginalised.
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Just ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls, the previous BJP government's cabinet had taken a decision on internal reservation, by recommending to the central government a six per cent internal quota for SC (Left), 5.5 per cent for SC (Right), 4.5 per cent for "touchables" (Banjara, Bhovi, Korcha, Kuruma etc) and one per cent for others.
The cabinet's decision on Monday came in the backdrop of a landmark verdict delivered by the Supreme Court on August 1, which held that states are constitutionally empowered to make sub-classifications within the SCs, which form a socially heterogeneous class, for granting reservation for the uplift of castes that are socially and educationally more backward.
Noting that the cabinet has given in-principle approval to implement internal reservation among SCs, addressing a longstanding demand for three decades, the CM said, Karnataka has 101 sub-groups within the SCs, and the government is working to bring internal reservation with a scientific approach, ensuring that all these groups are included and considered.
Also, citing the cabinet's decision to constitute a commission, he said the government has decided to pause new recruitment notifications for reserved positions in civil services and other departments until further notice.
The Telangana government has taken a similar step in establishing a commission for internal reservation, he said.
Noting that the Supreme Court has stated that scientific and accurate data is essential for implementing internal reservations properly, Siddaramaiah said, "to gather this data, the state government is forming this commission, which will ensure the report is submitted within the given timeline."
"Once the report is received, the government will proceed to implement internal reservations."
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Donald Trump sends Diwali greetings, condemns attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh
Washington, Oct 31: Sending Diwali greetings, former president Donald Trump, who is the Republican presidential candidate, on Thursday condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh, vowed to strengthen ties with India and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his good friend.
Bangladesh, he said, remains in a total state of chaos and alleged that his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris and her boss President Joe Biden have ignored Hindus across the world and in America.
“I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
This is for the first time that Trump has spoken on the issue of Bangladesh. Hundreds of Hindus were killed in July-August in Bangladesh when a students’ agitation turned into massive protests leading to then prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country on August 5.
“It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength,” he said.
“We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi,” Trump said.
“Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history. We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before and we will Make America Great Again,” he said.
“Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil,” said the former president, who is in a close fight with Harris for the November 5 presidential elections.
