Mysuru: Karnataka Samajika Nyayapara Vakeelara Vedike President and senior city advocate S. Arunkumar has urged the State Government to announce inner reservation for exploited communities within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) reservation quota.

He warned of escalating the matter to the Governor if the Government fails to act by Jan. 28, as resolved in the State Cabinet meeting three months ago.

Addressing a press conference recently, Arunkumar accused the State Government of deliberately delaying the implementation of inner reservation for Madiga and other marginalised communities. He demanded immediate action, alleging that the Congress has been unjust to the Madiga community for the sake of vote-bank politics.

Highlighting the decades-long struggle for equitable representation, he referred to Apex Court’s landmark judgement on Aug. 1, 2024. The judgement affirmed Constitutional authority of States to make sub-classifications within SCs, recognising them as socially heterogeneous group, to uplift those castes that are more socially and educationally backward.

He noted that following the Court judgement, the State Cabinet had deliberated on the matter on Oct. 28 and subsequently appointed a One-Man Commission, led by former High Court Judge H.N. Nagamohan Das, on Nov. 12 to gather data for implementing inner reservation.

However, Arunkumar criticised the Government for issuing a public notification only on Jan. 2, inviting suggestions, objections and records by Jan. 31. He questioned why data and vital statistics from the earlier Justice A.J. Sadashiva Commission Report, submitted in 2012 after a 7-year study, had not been shared with Nagamohan Das Commission. This delay, he argued, raises suspicions about the Government’s intentions.

Demanding action by Jan. 28, he warned of Statewide agitation and a formal complaint to the Governor if the Government fails to deliver on its promise.

Vedike Vice-President M. Dasaiah, M. Shivakumar Beltur, Malappa Kurki, Boodithittu Rajendra and Chandrasena Sagar were present at the press meet.