‘CM made a mistake…': Lingayat members stage protest outside Bommai's residence

Panchamasali Lingayat members holds protest over “lack of clarity” in providing reservation to them.

Members of Panchamasali Lingayat community on Friday held a protest in front of the Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai's residence over “lack of clarity” in providing reservation to them. They have been demanding reservation under 2A section of the other background classes (OBC) category. Kudalasangama Peetha's Jagadguru Basava Jaya Mruthynjaya Swamiji, the seer who has been leading the protests, reminded CM Bommai's promise by "swearing on his mother” to provide appropriate reservation to the community.

Mruthynjaya Swamiji reminded CM Bommai's promise by "swearing on his mother” to provide appropriate reservation to the community. (ANI)

“CM had promised and swore on his mother that he will give 2A reservation on Dec 29. We asked for 2A reservation but they gave 2D. CM made a mistake by swearing on his mother. So we're doing satyagraha in front of CM's house for one day,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

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However, the state government decided to create new categories – 2C and 2D – and abolish 3A and 3B categories, positioning both dominant communities in newly formed divisions.

Earlier, the Panchamasali Lingayat community carried out a foot march as a show of strength in order to pressurise the CM.

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The Panchamasali is a sub-sect of the politically dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community and a strong voter base in the state for the Bharatiya Janata Party. The community is demanding inclusion in the 2A section of the other background classes (OBC) category which will avail them a 15 percent reservation in educational and professional sectors. The community is already categorised under 3B section of OBC which allows five percent reservation.

The quota agitation by Panchamasali Lingayats was triggered by BJP MLA Murugesh Nirani and later by BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. The community has cited poverty as one of the reasons for their demands for OBC reservations.