Quota hike for Panchamasali community: All eyes on today’s Cabinet meeting

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: The Panchamasali community has been demanding a hike in reservation for years and the State Cabinet is likely to decide on the matter on March 24.

The community, which is estimated to have a population of over one crore, has been agitating for several years, demanding that they be included in the 2A category that will provide them a 15 percent quota in government jobs and educational institutions.

The Panchamasalis are a sub-sect of the Lingayat community. The Lingayats have traditionally been strong supporters of the BJP. However, the Panchamasalis now feel neglected by the BJP government. Many within the Panchamasali community are hopeful that the government will concede their demand.

“This will be a historic moment for us,” said a community leader. If the government does not concede the demand, it could lead to further protests by the community.  The demand for separate religion status for the Panchamasalis has also been a contentious issue in Karnataka, with several political parties taking a stand on the issue. The Congress has been supportive of the demand, while the BJP has been non-committal.