Mysuru: BJP’s ST functionaries on Tuesday alleged that the Congress-led state govt is cheating the SC and ST population by decreasing their reservation respectively by 2% (17% to 15%) and 4% (7% to 3%), which may have long-term impact on the educational and employment opportunities of the youth from both the groups.Speaking at an awareness convention for social justice demanding restoration of 7% reservation for the community organised by the ST Morcha here, they alleged that 15 ST MLAs of the Congress are silent on the reduction of ST reservation from the previous 7% to 3%.Former minister B Sriramulu alleged that the ST communities got 7% reservation in education and govt recruitments in 2022 when BJP was in power in the state. “However, after the Congress govt came to power now, it was reduced to 3%. More and more castes are now notified as STs, increasing the ST population. However, reservation has been cut. It will dash the dreams of our youth and students who want to join govt service or pursue professional courses like medical, engineering etc,” he alleged.“ST leaders of the BJP were defeated in the election. But we are fighting for the community’s cause. But Congress leaders are silent on the issue,” he said.Former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi dared the Congress functionaries to pass a resolution in the state legislature to increase the reservation above 50%. “We will convince our leaders in the Centre to include it in Schedule 9 of the Constitution. Congress functionaries are misleading the community in the name of Schedule 9,” he alleged.Social activist Vadiraj Samarasya urged the Karnataka govt to adopt the Chhattisgarh model or central govt’s model in the state to reinstate 7% reservation for ST while 17% for the SCs.Former minister Raju Gowda and others were present.
