On December 29, the Karnataka Government gave a green signal for the creation of two new categories to grant reservations to Vokkaligas (Gowdas) and Lingayats. The decision is being taken following the interim report Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
The announcement comes months before the state assembly elections. The Vokkaliga and Panchamasali communities have long been demanding an increased share in education and jobs.
Credits – TV9 Kannada
The reservations for these two communities will be bracketed under 2C and 2D categories, in the Karnataka OBC list. The Vokkaliga community has moved from 3A to 2C in the list, whereas the Lingayats have moved from 3B to 2D. Panchamasalis, a sub-caste under the Veerashaiva Lingayats, were classified under the 3B category (5% reservation). The community was demanding to be moved to the 2A category which would guarantee 15% reservations.
The Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy stated after the cabinet meeting in Belagavi.
Karnataka BJP government decides to restructure reservation categories to please Lingayat Panchamasali sect who have been agitating for relocating them into 15%(2A) reservation category from their existing 5%(3B) category. Vokkaligas will also be moved into a new 2D category. pic.twitter.com/dIpapcSoVn
— VADIRAJ C S 🇮🇳 (@vschanna) December 30, 2022
“The communities in category 3 will be brought under category 2. This was done as per the recommendations made by the Backward Classes Panel. Vokkaligas and their sub-sects that were in 3A will be brought into 2C, while Lingayats and their sub-sects that were in 3B are brought under 2D. We are only creating two categories, one is for SC/ST and another is under category 2. Communities who have been shifted to 2C and 2D will continue to enjoy all the facilities provided under 3A and 3B,” the Minister said
Minister on EWS
“According to the EWS rules, communities that are not under any reservation matrix will be covered under this quota up to 10 percent. Based on the 2011 census, we will decide which communities can come under this category and the percentage of reservations that can be given to them. In Karnataka, there are no such communities that can get up to 10 percent reservations which are already not covered under any quota. In such a case, the remaining communities are minimal. After giving the adequate quota to these communities, whatever remains will be transferred to 2C and 2D categories. This additional reservation will be limited only to education and employment,” the minister said.
State Government finds a SOLUTION TO RESERVATION
Karnataka govt decides to do away with '3' category in backward classes, creates '2C' '2D' to placate quota demands by Panchamasalis, Vokkaligas & others.#Reservation
— Sharan Poovanna (@sharanpoovanna) December 29, 2022
