Karnataka HC stays govt’s decision to create 2 new categories of quota for Panchamasalis, Vokkaligas
Bengaluru, Jan 12: The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday stayed the creation of two new categories of reservation by the State government for the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities and ordered status quo on the matter.
A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice PB Varale stayed the new categories and ordered status quo. The hearing of the PIL challenging the creation of the new categories has been adjourned to January 30.
The government, in the recently concluded Assembly session in Belagavi, had announced the creation of the two new categories: 2C and 2D to include the Lingayats and Vokkaligas in it.
The Panchamasali caste of Lingayats has been demanding inclusion in the 2A category. The State has four categories of OBC: 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B based on the economic, social and educational status. These communities get preferential reservation in jobs and educational institutions based on the categories. While 2A are the most backward, 2B are moderate, and little above them are 3A and 3B.
The two dominant communities -- Vokkaliga and Panchamasalis -- which are in 3A and 3B category have been demanding reservations under 2A status, and the government decided to abolish 3A and 3B categories. The government decided to create two new categories of 2C and 2D. Those who are presently 3A and 3B would now find place in 2C and 2D.
The BJP government decided to do away with the 3A and 3B categories based on the recommendations of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes in a report. The interim report submitted to the government by the Commission recently was challenged through a public interest litigation (PIL). The PIL filed by D G Raghavendra had claimed that the Commission's interim report had recommended inclusion of Panchamashali caste in the 2A Category.
However, such a demand was rejected by the Commission in 2000 itself. The petition had sought placing the interim report of the panel before the court. Before this, the government announced the creation of the new categories.
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BJP has history of ‘contradictory alliances’, says BK Hariprasad
Bengaluru: Congress MLC B. K. Hariprasad has launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing the party of hypocrisy over its criticism of alliance politics in Tamil Nadu.
In a post on X on Friday, Hariprasad said BJP leader B. L. Santhosh criticising the Congress party’s alliance politics in Tamil Nadu was “not just laughable, but the height of political contradiction.”
He said the Congress has always joined hands with like-minded parties to protect secular and democratic values in the country.
Hariprasad questioned the BJP over several of its past and present alliances across the country. Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tripura, Bihar and Maharashtra, he accused the BJP of sharing power with parties it had earlier criticised.
He alleged that the BJP had aligned with separatist and corruption-linked political forces in different states for political gains.
“The BJP, which speaks against alliances today, should first look at its own political history,” he said, adding that the party’s record was full of “contradictions and changing stands.”
Hariprasad also accused the BJP of using central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and CBI as political tools to target opposition leaders, topple governments and influence electoral mandates.
He further claimed that the people of Tamil Nadu had strongly rejected the BJP and its ideology in the recent election.
“Congress forms alliances to protect the Constitution, secularism and national unity, while the BJP enters into alliances only for power,” he said.
