Big blow for K'taka govt

Panchamasali community who were granted reser- vation under the 2D category had rejected the government’s decision and reiterated its demand for the 2A category

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a significant decision which would have an impact on the Karnataka government's moves to placate all communities ahead of the Assembly polls,the High Court of Karnataka on Thursday stayed the creation of two new categories of reservation by the government for the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities and ordered the status quo on the matter.

A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice PB Varale stayed the new categories while adjourning the hearing on the PIL challenging the creation of the new categories to January 30. The government, in the recently concluded Assembly session in Belagavi, had announced the creation of the two new categories: 2C and 2D to include the Lingayats and Vokkaligas in it.  

The Panchamasali caste of Lingayats has been demanding inclusion in the 2A category.  The State has four categories of OBC: 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B based on the economic, social and educational status. These communities get preferential reservation in jobs and educational institutions based on the categories. While 2A are the most backward, 2B are moderate, and little above them are 3A and 3B.

The two dominant communities -- Vokkaliga and Panchamasalis -- which are in 3A and 3B category have been demanding reservations under 2A status, and the government decided to abolish 3A and 3B categories.

The government decided to create two new categories of 2C and 2D. Those who are presently 3A and 3B would now find place in 2C and 2D. The BJP government decided to do away with the 3A and 3B categories based on the recommendations of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes in a report.  

The PIL filed by D G Raghavendra had claimed that the Commission's interim report had recommended inclusion of Panchamashali caste in the 2A Category. However, such a demand was rejected by the Commission in 2000 itself.