BJP Backs SC Communities Protesting Karnataka's New Reservation Formula, Slams Congress For 'Divisive Policy'

Bengaluru: Senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party extended support to several Scheduled Caste (SC) communities who launched a massive protest in Bengaluru on Wednesday, alleging injustice in the state government's new internal reservation policy. The saffron party has criticised the Congress government for following a "divisive policy" in handling SC quota system.

Yesterday's agitation, led by members of the Banjara, Bhovi, Koracha and Korama communities, caused severe disruption in traffic in Central Bengaluru as protesters attempted to march towards Vidhana Soudha.

The protest was triggered by the state government's recent decision to club 59 nomadic communities with these four caste groups and allot a combined five percent quota. Agitators argued that the move was "unfair" and demanded enhanced reservation benefits for their communities.

Tension escalated when a woman protester allegedly attempted to immolate herself. Fortunately, she was stopped by those nearby. Police later prevented protesters from advancing further, leading to sit-ins that caused long traffic jams in central Bengaluru, especially near Freedom Park, KR Circle and nearby areas. Commuters remained stranded for several hours, with many struggling to reach offices and bus stations on time. Situation finally returned to normalcy after members of the affected communities withdrew agitation later in the evening.

Protesters Give One-Week Ultimatum

The protesters decided to call off the agitation after a memorandum was submitted to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy. According to police, the protesters agreed to withdraw after being assured that their concerns would be conveyed to the government. They have given the state government one week time to review the reservation formula and address their demands.

BJP leaders, including state party president BY Vijayendra and general secretary P Rajeev, extended support to the protesters. Before intensification of the protests, Rajeev played a key role in convincing them to disperse peacefully.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, Vijayendra accused the Congress government of following a "divisive policy" in handling SC reservation. "It is not about how long you sit in the Chief Minister's chair; it is about whether you deliver justice to all communities while being in that chair," he said, targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Internal Reservation Formula

The issue stems from the state Cabinet's recent decision to implement the recommendations of Justice HN Nagamohan Das Commission, with certain modifications. The Commission had proposed dividing the 17 percent SC quota among 101 sub-castes in five categories:

Most backward communities (Group A) - one percent, SC (Left/Madiga, Group B) - six percent, SC (Right/Holeya, Group C) - five percent, 'Touchable' communities (Lambani, Bhovi, Koracha, Korama in Group D) - four percent, and Adi Karnataka, Adi Dravida, Adi Andhra (Group E) - one percent.

However, the government's formula clubbed 59 nomadic castes with Banjara, Bhovi, Koracha and Korama communities into one block, giving them a total of five percent. Protesters argued that this has reduced their share and crippled decades of struggle for fair representation.

Former BJP leaders recalled that previous governments under BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai had formed development corporations for these communities to safeguard their quota share. The present Congress government is reversing these efforts, they alleged.

With the deadline set, attention now turns to whether the Siddaramaiah government will revise its decision or risk fresh agitation from the affected SC groups.

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