Karnataka BJP Pushes for Internal Reservation Implementation

Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra announced that party leaders will approach CM Siddaramaiah to advocate for internal reservation among Scheduled Castes, as proposed by the previous government. The Supreme Court recently ruled states can make sub-classifications within SCs, enabling the proposal's potential realization.

The Karnataka BJP, led by President B Y Vijayendra, is pressing for a significant policy change regarding internal reservations among Scheduled Castes. On Tuesday, Vijayendra revealed plans for a delegation to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging the state's Congress government to implement a reservation system initially suggested by the previous BJP administration.

The policy, formulated under the leadership of the former Basavaraj Bommai government, proposes internal quotas within the Scheduled Castes. The BJP seeks to realize this vision, which involves divisions of 6% for SC (Left), 5.5% for SC (Right), 4.5% for 'touchables' like Banjara and Bhovi, and 1% for others, by pushing for the Congress government's adoption of these recommendations.

This call for internal reservation gains momentum following a landmark Supreme Court verdict affirming the constitutional authority of states to create sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes. This decision overturned a 2004 ruling and opened doors for states to employ tailored approaches for assisting socially and educationally backward castes within the broad SC category.

(With inputs from agencies.)