A BJP delegation, including prominent members like Govind Karjol and A. Narayanaswamy, submitted a memorandum to Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot. They alleged that the Congress-led government mishandled the internal reservation issue among Scheduled Castes, causing uncertainty instead of ensuring social justice. The delegation highlighted that Karnataka has not implemented the Supreme Court’s verdict on internal reservation, unlike states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana.
The memorandum criticized the formation of the Justice Nagamohan Das Commission by the state government. Despite no demand from the Madiga community, the Commission was set up, costing an estimated Rs 110 crore. It recommended a reservation structure that the government did not adopt, leading to the introduction of a revised 6:6:5 model allegedly driven by political pressure. The delegation questioned the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
The delegation further alleged that the government passed a Bill hastily without detailed debate, relying on numerical strength. They criticized the government for not consulting community leaders, legal experts, or scholars before making significant policy decisions. Concerns were raised about unresolved issues regarding certain sub-castes and the failure to extend internal reservation to promotions or allocation of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan funds.
The memorandum highlighted that recruitment to state government posts has slowed, leaving around 2.85 lakh vacancies unfilled. It also mentioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks on the politically driven nature of the reservation formula. The issue has now reached the courts, with concerns raised about the government’s ability to defend its position. The delegation expressed confidence in the Governor’s decision-making process to uphold social justice principles.
