Panchamasali seer writes to PM Modi, seeks quota under 2A

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In the midst of a row over reservation, Jaya Mruthyunjaya, seer of Kudalasangama mutt, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding 2A quota for the Panchamasali community. The seer is currently on an indefinite protest at the Freedom Park here over the government’s alleged move against granting reservation to the Panchamasali community under the 2A category.

“We have no trust in Bommai and BSY who made false promises and tried to mislead our agitation,” a statement released by the seer said. He has also cautioned the ruling BJP that the community would ignore them if their demands were not met.

The seer, however, has not revealed the entire letter written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that they have faith in Modi. The government has sought time till the Backward Classes Commission submits its final report before taking a decision on their demands.

Panchamasalis are a dominant subsect of the Lingayat community. On December 29, the government had created two new categories 2C and 2D to accommodate Vokkaligas and Panchamasalis respectively. It had said that the two communities will continue to reap the same benefits they did while they were in the 3A and 3B categories.

The government had planned to transfer the remaining quota of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) to the 2C and 2D categories. However, the Panchamasalis had rejected this approach. They have stuck to their demand for reservation under the 2A category.

Previously, Panchamasalis used to come under the 3B category, where they received a five per cent reservation. They later demanded that they be moved to 2A of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category which guarantees a 15 per cent reservation. On the other hand, the Karnataka high court has stayed the government‘s decision to create two new categories.