After Kuruba and Panchamasali Lingayat agitations seeking change in their reservation category, it is now the turn of the Valmiki (ST) community, which is demanding an enhanced quota.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who addressed a massive convention organised by the Valmiki (ST) community in Harihara (Davanagere), on Tuesday, announced that his government would examine the demand for a hike in ST reservation and fulfil the demand by March 9.
"My government will examine the demand and also make a sincere effort to enhance the quota by March 9, a deadline set by the Valmiki swamiji. But I also urge him not to resort to agitation or hunger strike but have faith in my government," Yediyurappa said at the rally attended by Valmiki leaders, including BJP minister B. Sriramulu and Ramesh Jarkiholi, state Congress working president Satish Jarkiholi and MP Devendrappa, among others.
Earlier, the pontiff of Valmiki Peetha, Harihara, Sri Prasannandapuri Swamiji, who is leading the ST agitation, called upon his community members to pursue the demand till it is fulfilled. But when the seer mentioned that he would go on an indefinite hunger strike, the chief minister intervened and assured him that his government would make a "sincere effort" to fulfil the "just demand" of the community.
Social Welfare Minister B. Sriramulu said, "The Yediyurappa government will honour both the demands - hike in ST reservation from the current three per cent to 7.5 per cent and setting up of a separate ministry for ST affairs. A cabinet subcommittee has been formed to look into the issue."
It may be recalled that Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Committee constituted by the JD(S)-Congress coalition government, in its final report submitted last July, had recommended hike in quotas - SC reservation from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and ST reservation from 3 per cent to 7 per cent, in proportion to their population.
In November 2020, the BJP government constituted a cabinet sub-committee headed by Sriramulu and comprising Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karjol, ministers Basavaraj Bommai, R. Ashok and J.C. Madhuswamy to examine the demand.
