Ugrappa Warns of “Aggressive Struggle” if Karnataka’s Increased Reservation Not Shielded by Constitution
Bengaluru, June 6: Veteran leader and former MP V.S. Ugrappa has issued a sharp warning to both the state and central governments, demanding immediate constitutional protection for Karnataka’s law increasing quotas for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). He threatened an “aggressive struggle” if the reservation hike is not placed under the protective umbrella of the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
ಎಸ್ಸಿ, ಎಸ್ಟಿ ಶಾಸಕರ ಮೌನದ ಮೇಲೆ ಉಗ್ರಪ್ಪ ಆರೋಪ: “ಬಾಯಿ ತೆರೆಯಿರಿ!”
The call comes against the backdrop of the Basavaraj Bommai-led government’s reservation amendment facing legal challenges, with stays granted by both the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) and the High Court. Ugrappa, who chairs the Karnataka State Valmiki Community’s ‘Equal Minds’ forum, argued that the judicial holds are causing “injustice” to the beneficiary communities, stalling appointments and promotions across the state.
A Constitutional Shield for Social Justice
Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Ugrappa laid out a clear demand: the current legislation must be amended and inserted into the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule, which offers laws near-complete immunity from judicial review. He cited the example of Tamil Nadu, which has successfully protected its 69% reservation by securing a place in the Ninth Schedule.
“In Tamil Nadu, 69% reservation has been implemented. In our state, it is 56%. However, the way Tamil Nadu secured its reservation under the Ninth Schedule should have been replicated in Karnataka. That was not done. That work must happen now,” Ugrappa asserted.
He invoked the landmark 1992 Indra Sawhney case, noting that the judgment itself provided scope for enhancing reservations. “The governments are playing games citing the Indra Sawhney case. That same case allows for an increase in reservation,” he said.
Silence of the Leaders Draws Ire
Ugrappa expressed deep frustration over what he termed the “conspicuous silence” of political leaders from the concerned communities, despite their presence in powerful positions. He noted that former Chief Minister Bommai, who piloted the law, is now an MP, while Union Ministers Govind Karjol and Jagadish Shettar are part of the central government.
“There are 17 ST MLAs and 36 SC MLAs. Yet, no one is raising their voice on the reservation increase,” he charged. He also recalled promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visits to Karnataka, contrasting them with the swift 10% reservation granted to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). “The Supreme Court will uphold that. But discrimination is being shown when it comes to increasing reservation for SC, ST, and OBC communities,” Ugrappa alleged.
Call for All-Party Meet and Central Intervention
The former MP called upon Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to immediately convene an all-party meeting. The resolution from this meeting, he said, should be a clear law to be passed in the upcoming Belagavi legislative session and sent to the Centre for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule.
“Reservation is not alms; it is the right of the grassroots communities. But they have been handcuffed and told not to eat the food that is offered. The central and state governments, as well as the judiciary, are responsible for this,” Ugrappa remarked.
He urged that an all-party delegation meet Prime Minister Modi to press for a constitutional amendment. “The SCP/TSP Act was originally brought by Siddaramaiah himself, and budget allocations are based on that. Reservation should have been implemented on an adequate basis. The previous government did not do this. A delegation must go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get reservation included in the Ninth Schedule,” he insisted.
Clarifying Stance on Kuruba Community Inclusion
Addressing the recent debate on including the Kuruba community under the ST category, Ugrappa clarified he was not opposed to the inclusion of any community. However, he stressed the need for a thorough ethnological study before any such move.
“I am not opposing adding anyone to the ST list. Whether it is Kurubas or anyone else, let an ethnological study be conducted and then they can be included after scrutiny. But while including them, the existing reservation for these communities must also be taken into account,” he explained, adding that he had publicly stated this before the CM on Valmiki Jayanti.
He noted that the recommendation for Kurubas was first made via an ordinance in 1991 under the then Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, and later forwarded to the Centre by the Bommai government.
Warning of Mass Mobilization
Ugrappa concluded with a stark warning, appealing to the conscience of politicians across party lines. “Power is not permanent. Please, all political leaders across parties must discuss this and raise their voices. Especially, Bommai must bring this to the Prime Minister’s notice for appropriate decisions.”
“If this is not done, the entire SC, ST, and OBC community will have to unitedly take to the streets,” he cautioned, signaling the potential for a major political agitation if his demands are not met.
