Mysore/Mysuru: BJP MLC and former Minister A.H. Vishwanath said that Kuruba community leaders from Mysuru region (Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts) will meet in the city on Dec. 29 to finalise the course of action to press the Government for inclusion of the community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.

Addressing a press meet at Pathrakartara Bhavan here this morning, Vishwanath said that the meeting will take place under the aegis of Kuruba ST Horata Samiti at Kanaka Bhavan in Siddarthanagar at 11 am on Dec.29.

Maintaining that the Kuruba ST Movement is also intended at bringing other deserving backward and micro-communities too under ST list, the MLC said that Kuruba community will seek the support of upper castes too for fulfilment of their (Kurubas) demand. Urging the Government to conduct ethnological and Geneological studies on the backwardness of the community, he said that the State should send a strong recommendation to the Centre for including Kuruba community in the ST list.

Replying to a question, Vishwanath said that Opposition Leader and former Chief Minister Siddharamaiah too was part of the ST demand and the former CM had attended a meeting of the community held in this regard at Bengaluru recently.

Replying to a query on alleged RSS link to Kuruba ST campaign, Vishwanath said that the community was seeking the support of every organisation and RSS is one among them.

Pointing out that RSS is not an anti-national organisation nor a banned organisation, he said that the pressure of the people works in a Democracy and the community has started a movement to press for fulfilment of ST demand, which is fair considering the backwardness of the community across the country.

Former Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa, Kuruba ST Horata Samiti office-bearers Annegowda,Srinivas and others were present.