Will urge Centre to increase reservation as per population: Chief Minister

Reiterating that the State government is in favour of social justice, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government will urge the Union government to increase the percentage of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes based on their population.

He was addressing a large gathering after inaugurating the ‘Sri Maharshi Valmiki Jatre-2026’ at Sri Maharshi Valmiki Valmiki Guru Peetha in Rajanahalli near Harihar on Monday.

The Chief Minister emphasised the need for the oppressed communities, including the Valmiki community, to remember their respective histories. “It is important to know history, as without knowing history, building the future is not possible. Only through education, organisation, and agitation can the oppressed protect their rights. And only through education, the communities can stay away from superstitions and blind faith,” he said.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that it was education that helped Maharshi Valmiki to author Ramayana. “Vyasa Muni who wrote Mahabharata belonged to the fishing community. The system of four varnas deprived the oppressed of education. It was after Constitution came into existence that equal opportunities were provided. Education helps the oppressed to come to the mainstream, so the government has given importance to education which will empower the oppressed economically, socially and educationally,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the caste system, created by vested interests, had led to inequalities in society. Only through economic and social empowerment can inequalities be removed, he said.

Basavanna had tried vehemently to alleviate the caste system. However, because of vested interests, the caste system had continued and superstitions had spread.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said that the scheme of providing welfare grants to SC/STs based on their population was first introduced by the State government in 2013 and none of the BJP-ruled states had such a law, which had been upheld by the Supreme Court.

The Chief Minister then listed out the various welfare schemes and measures taken by the State government for the benefit of the oppressed communities. He also promised to fulfilled the demands the communities in a phased manner.

The event was attended by Prasannanand Puri Swami, Vachananand Swami, Ministers Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, legislators Yathindra Siddaramaiah, N.Y. Gopalkrishna, Raghu Murthy, and others.