Decision on enhanced quota for Panchamasali community as per law & spirit of Constitution: CM

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said a decision on the demand for higher reservation for the Panchamasali Lingayat community in government jobs and educational institutions, will be taken in accordance with the law and the spirit of the Constitution. He said the government has an open mind on the issue of reservation. "Our government stands for social justice, and it is our stance that justice should be available to all marginalized groups," he said during a meeting with a delegation led by Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peeth Seer Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami, who sought enhanced quota for the community. The Panchamasali Lingayat community wants to be included in category 2A (15 per cent) of OBC reservation matrix.

They are currently included under 3B (5 per cent). Panchamasali Lingayats, had earlier held protests and demonstrations, to press for their demand. "There is a permanent backward classes commission, and its final recommendations have not yet reached us. Also there is an election code of conduct in place (for November 13 by-polls in three Assembly segments). Discussions will be held with the Advocate General and experts before any action is taken. No decisions can be made at this time," Siddaramaiah told the delegation. "Actions will be taken in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution. Any decisions made will be carried out honestly according to the law," the CM was quoted as saying by his office. Noting that he had previously advised community leaders that proposals regarding reservation should be submitted to the permanent backward classes commission, the CM said any decision should be just and acceptable to everyone.

What is the community demanding?

The Panchamasalis, a sect among Lingayats, who claim to account for 60 per cent of the community, have been demanding 15 per cent reservation under the 2A subcategory, citing a scarcity of representation. Community seer Basavajaya Mruthyunjaya has in the past spoken of “rich” Lingayats cornering the quota, perhaps referring to the Banajiga sect. The Panchamasalis – mostly a farming community – alongside other Lingayats fall under the 3B sub-category, which affords them a five per cent quota. However, Panchamasalis want to be accorded reservation under the 2A, which would net them a 15 per cent quota. The sub-category is occupied by caste groups such as Kurubas and Edigas. Back in late 2022, then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai decided to abolish the 2B four per cent sub-category meant for Muslims and create new sub-categories namely 2C and 2D which would accommodate two per cent reservation each.

Vokkaligas, who fall under 3A, would be shifted to 2C and Lingayats would be moved to 2D. However, the Supreme Court (SC) stayed the decision in response to a petition back in April last year. Therefore, the status quo was maintained. Panchamasali agitators reason that since they are the most populous among the Lingayat sects they should get reservation that is proportionate to their share in the population. Other Lingayat sects include Ganiga, Jangama, Banajiga, Reddy-Lingayat, Sadars, Nonaba and Goud- Lingayats. Former CMs S Nijalingappa, JH Patel, Veerendra Patil, Jagadish Shettar, BS Yediyurappa are Banajigas while Bommai is a Sadar-Lingayat.