Yogesh K Porwar & Sunil Lohan
State Government must immediately implement internal reservation:MP Bommai
If Constitutional amendment is cited as a reason for implementing internal quota,It would be like an empty gesture:Bommai
Bengaluru:Former Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai said if the state government takes immediate action to provide internal reservation to SC communities,it would be a fair decision for these communities.But citing the necessity for an amendment to Article 341 of the Constitution as an excuse would be an empty gesture.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony held by SC community leaders here on Sunday,which included former Deputy CM and MP Govind Karjol and the Head of Madar Channayya Guru Peetha,Sri Basavamoorthy Madar Channayya Swamiji,Bommai addressed the media in light of the Supreme Court’s verdict on internal reservations for SC communities.
He said recently,a seven-judge Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a very clear verdict on internal reservations, a matter that had raised questions for a long time.
Although many states,including Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,have reservations,justice has not been served,leading to significant protests spanning over three decades.There were also verdicts from two benches of five judges.
Justice Arun Mishra had ruled that internal reservations could be granted without a constitutional amendment, while Justice Santosh Hegde stated in 2004 that internal reservations were not needed, but a constitutional amendment was necessary.The contradictions between these verdicts led to confusion, necessitating a bold decision by the governments involved, which the Supreme Court has now clarified
Historic decisions
“We have made many historical decisions by abiding by the Constitution.We proposed to increase reservation for the SC community from 15 per cent to 17 per cent and for the ST community from 3 per cent to 7 per cent, in line with the population and with the support of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly.This matter will soon be discussed in Parliament.
We have recommended how internal reservations should be implemented based on this principle, which the Supreme Court has now upheld.
We have also delivered justice to other SC and ST communities,such as Bhovi,Lambani,Koracha,and Korama,by increasing their reservations. Some Congress supporters had approached the Supreme Court to remove five communities from the SC list.
The court had sought clarification from the SC Commission,which then sought the state’s opinion. However, no government had taken a clear stance on this until we decided that since these communities have been included in the SC list since the time of the Mysore Maharajas,they will continue to benefit from reservations as long as the system exists,”Bommai said.
The MP said there is talent in these communities, and they should be given opportunities.Providing them with better opportunities in education and employment will lead to India’s overall development.When these communities develop and lead self-reliant,dignified lives, it will contribute to building a stronger India.
Dr. Ambedkar had included Article 341 in the Constitution with this vision, and today’s society acknowledges the value of his thoughts.The Supreme Court has been very successful in delivering social justice.I extend my congratulations to the Supreme Court.”
Siddu was CM for five years
Asked about CM Siddaramaiah’s accusation that the BJP hastily recommended internal reservations before elections, Bommai responded, “Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister for five years; why didn’t he implement internal reservations then? He came to the SC convention in Hubballi and left without saying a word.
Ten people lost their lives during this struggle, yet nothing was done. We made a decision the day after the Cabinet Sub-Committee report was submitted. This demonstrates our commitment,” he said.
The former CM said the state government can implement internal reservations immediately if it so desires. The Congress-led Telangana government is taking steps for immediate implementation. If the state government takes similar action, it would be doing justice to the SC community.
The Chief Minister had recommended a constitutional amendment to Article 341, but given the current parliamentary situation, it seems impossible.
The BJP government had recommended granting internal reservations without a constitutional amendment. Suggesting an amendment to Article 341 would be like an empty gesture for these communities.
Sri Basavamoorthy Madar Channayya Swamiji, Head of Madar Channayya Guru Peetha, former Deputy CM and MP Govind Karjol, former Union Minister A. Narayanaswamy, and leaders from the SC community were present.