By Anagha: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced an increase in reservations for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. Speaking at a felicitation program organized by the SC community in Raichur on Sunday, CM Bommai expressed his pride in being a strong propagator of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s vision.
CM Bommai emphasized the importance of reservations in education and employment, stating that it has made self-reliant lives possible for the SC community. He also accused the previous government of using the community as a mere vote bank.
CM Bommai pointed out that the SC population has increased significantly, but the reservation quota has remained the same for several years. He said that after Independence, successive governments have merely included castes in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories. But, they have not made any attempt to increase reservations. And, moreover, the number of castes under Scheduled Castes has reached 103, while earlier there were just six castes.
The Justice Nagmohan Das Commission upheld the Indira Sahani case and recommended the hike in the reservation for the SC/ST communities and the same was vouched by Justice Subhas Adi Commission. Based on their recommendation, the government hiked the reservation.
Bommai encouraged the SC community to become politically aware and vote for those who value their fight, respect their feelings, and provide them with safety and security. He added that social and economic empowerment is crucial to help them lead an independent life.
The decision taken by the government out of political will must be put to use, and a social revolution must be initiated by informing every household of the decision, CM Bommai said.
