Karnataka govt scraps 4% OBC Muslim reservation, splits between Vokkaligas and Lingayats

The BJP authorities in Karnataka, led by CM Basavaraj Bommai, adjusted the SC/ST and OBC reservation ratios shortly earlier than the Assembly elections to take into consideration long-standing requests for greater quotas put forth by numerous communities.   

Bommai, who presided over the ultimate cabinet of his time period on Friday, abolished the present 4% reservation (2B class) for Muslims below the OBC quota and transferred them to the ten% pool for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and elevated the quota for Lingayats and Vokkaligas by 2% every.

A major phase of the Lingayat inhabitants often called the Panchamasali Lingayat had been pushing for a change within the reservation class from 3B (5%) to 2A (15%). The Vokkaliga group, which was granted 4% of the OBC record’s 3A class’s reservations, made an equivalent demand. Accordingly,  on March 24, the Bommai administration added two extra classes to the OBC list- 2A for Vokkaligas and 2D for Lingayats, boosting the general quota to six% and seven%, respectively.

The Panchamasali Lingayat motion had put the BJP administration below strain because of the Supreme Court’s 1992 ruling (Indira Sawhney vs Union of India) that set a 50% ceiling on SC, ST, and OBC quota. Moreover, the Panchamasali Lingayats shared the 5% quota with different Veerashaiva-Lingayat subcultures, in addition to, Maratha, Jain, Christian, Bunt and Satani caste teams and switching them from 3B to 2A class was sure to frustrate the 102 castes together with Kuruba, Idiga, Devadiga, Kumbara, Vishwakarma and Tigala which can be already reaping the advantages below 2A.

“The Muslims have been shifted from 2A to EWS quota as there is no Constitutional provision for reservation for religious minorities. As per Dr Ambedkar too reservation is for the caste alone. However, my government has decided to move the minorities to EWS as both the old and new categories have the economic criterion,” mentioned Bommai whereas briefing the media after the cabinet assembly. He additionally elevated the reservation quota from 50 per cent to 56 per cent.

During the winter session in Belagavi in December of final 12 months, the Karnataka legislature enacted the “Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services Under the State) Bill, 2022” to extend the reservation for SCs from 15% to 17% and for STs from 3% to 7%.

Bommai additional mentioned that the SC group had been cut up into 4 divisions, citing Article 341(2) of the Constitution.

“Among the untouchables, the SC (Left) – Madiga, Adi Dravida and Bambi will now get 6 per cent reservation and SC (Right) which includes Adi Karnataka Holeya and Chalavadi will get 5.5 per cent. Among the touchables, the Banjara, Bhovi, Koracha and Korama will get 4.5 per cent and Are Alemari and Alemari (nomads) will get the remaining one percent,” defined Bommai.

Notably, on October 8, 2022, the state cabinet had formally accredited elevating the SC/ST quota based mostly on a proposal by Judge H.N. Nagamohan Das. Moreover, an ordinance was additionally accredited. However, the BJP administration wrote to the Center asking for a constitutional change on March 23. In distinction to the Supreme Court’s 50% cap, the amended coverage has elevated the proportion of reservations in Karnataka to 56% – SC 17%, ST 7%, and OBC 32%.

Meanwhile, CLP chief Siddaramaiah criticized the BJP for eliminating the 2A class (which had a 4% quota for Muslims) and allocating it to the Lingayats and Vokkaligas. “It is an effort to breed animosity between the communities,” he mentioned.