The Karnataka BJP has announced a big protest starting September 10 to oppose the state government’s new internal reservation policy. The BJP says the policy unfairly benefits some communities and leaves others feeling left out.
BJP leader and former legislator P. Rajeev spoke to the media about the plan. He explained that the Congress-led government in Karnataka introduced a new reservation system that has upset many groups. “All communities are unhappy with this policy,” Rajeev said. “We will hold an indefinite protest at Freedom Park from September 10. We won’t stop until we get justice.”
Rajeev accused the government of treating some communities unfairly. He mentioned that communities like the oppressed groups, nomadic communities, and semi-nomadic groups are being impacted. Leaders from the Lambani community, as well as other groups like Bhovi, have been preparing for the protest and holding awareness programs to gather support.
The BJP leader also criticized the government for changing the recommendations made by earlier committees. The Justice Nagamohan Das Committee had suggested that three communities—Adi Dravida, Adi Andhra, and Adi Karnataka—should get a special category status with direct benefits. But Rajeev said the government only made a political move instead of following those recommendations.
He pointed out confusion in government policies. For example, a committee had recommended a reservation of 4.5% for communities like Banjara, Bhovi, Koracha, and Korama, plus an extra 1% for about 59 nomadic castes. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah combined these groups into a single category, reducing their total reservation from what was proposed.
Rajeev also reminded everyone that reservation policies date back over a century. He mentioned that Mysuru ruler Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar implemented reservation schemes in 1919 for six castes. B.R. Ambedkar also supported similar recommendations. Later, the Congress expanded the list of Scheduled Castes from six to 101, but did not increase the reservation percentage.
With this protest, the BJP aims to highlight what they see as injustice in the reservation system and urge the government to rethink its policies. The dispute centers on fair representation and the rights of various communities in Karnataka’s reservation policy.
