V.S. Ugrappa seeks inclusion of Karnataka Reservation Act, 2022 in the Ninth Schedule
Bengaluru: V.S. Ugrappa, president of the Karnataka Rajya Valmiki Samana Manaskara Vedike, on Sunday demanded that the Karnataka State Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes Reservation Act, 2022 be included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Ugrappa said the Act, which enhanced reservation to 56%, must be protected from judicial scrutiny by placing it in the Ninth Schedule. He said a letter has been written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging the state government to press the Centre to include the Act in the Ninth Schedule and to amend Articles 15 and 16 to strengthen reservation provisions.
Ugrappa alleged that whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Karnataka, he misleads the public by promising inclusion of certain castes in the Scheduled Tribe category. He claimed this has led to a rise in fake caste certificates and said the BJP leadership and government are responsible for the situation.
Referring to the upcoming Union Budget, which he said may cross ₹4 lakh crore, Ugrappa alleged that funds earmarked for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were being diverted for other purposes, despite legal provisions barring such diversion. He demanded that Union Ministers from Karnataka and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai take responsibility for safeguarding the interests of marginalised communities.
He pointed out that Tamil Nadu has successfully implemented a higher reservation percentage and criticised the Centre for introducing economic reservation for upper castes, stating that Dr B.R. Ambedkar had not envisaged economic criteria for reservation. He questioned the disparity in income limits for scholarships, noting that the limit for economically weaker sections among upper castes is ₹8.5 lakh, while it is only ₹2.5 lakh for SC and ST students.
Ugrappa recalled that during the previous BJP government, reservation was increased to 7% for Scheduled Tribes, 15% for Scheduled Castes and 32% for Other Backward Classes following sustained agitation. However, he said vested interests challenged the move in court, leading the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal to strike down the Act and the High Court to stay its implementation, effectively cancelling the enhanced reservation.
While welcoming the resolution passed in the Belagavi legislature session seeking inclusion of the Reservation Act, 2022 in the Ninth Schedule, Ugrappa expressed dissatisfaction that the Centre has not acted on it even after a month.
He also raised concern over the growing number of fake caste certificates in the state, stating that it was causing injustice to genuine beneficiaries. He demanded strict action against both those who obtained fake certificates and officials who issued them.
Several leaders and representatives of Valmiki community organisations and social groups were present at the press conference.
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KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
