Mysore/Mysuru: Urging the State Government not to include Panchamasali community under 2A Reservation out of pressure, as it will be unfair for the Kayaka Samaja, former MLC and Kayaka Samaja Okkuta State President K.V. Puttasidda Shetty said that the Okkuta will be holding a massive protest in this regard at Bengaluru on Sept. 20.

Speaking at the Okkuta’s Executive Meeting held at Jaladarshini Guest House yesterday, he said, “Giving 2A reservation to Lingayat community which has a strong sub-caste like Lingayat Panchamasali,  Lingayat Gowda, Malegowda Lingayat and Deeksha Lingayat. was like  injustice to Kayaka Samaja which already has 2A Reservation, a memorandum a memorandum will be submitted to the Chief Minister in Bengaluru.”

Continuing, he said that though it has been 75 years since India got independence, backward communities are still being ruled by the upper community and added that reservation was meant for the development of oppressed community, but people from upper community were also demanding reservation for them. Pointing out that even Kayaka Samaja includes Madivala, Savitha Samaja, Ganiga, Kumbara, Uppara, Vishwakarma, Ediga and Yadava, he said that people belonging to these communities are hard working and were facing injustice till today by the upper community. 

Kayaka Samaja at present has 15 percent reservation under 2A category and it is unfortunate that a seer belonging to upper caste Lingayat community was demanding 2A reservation, complained the former MLC. 

Being a seer, it’s sad to see that Swamiji is taking a stand in favour of one particular community. Although Panchamasali community is enjoying the privilege of 5 percent reservation, they are  still demanding 2A Reservation, which is not correct, he added. 

Kayaka Samaja Okkuta State General Secretary Borappa Shetty, Treasurer Lakshmikanth, Organising Secretary Puttanaiah and others were present at the meeting.