K.H. Muniyappa speaks to the media in New Delhi. Video still.
Bengaluru: Social Welfare Minister K.H. Muniyappa said the earlier reservation levels of 15 per cent for Scheduled Castes and 3 per cent for Scheduled Tribes would continue in Karnataka, and cautioned against interpreting the court ruling as a complete abolition of internal reservation.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he called for discussions among the government, political parties and community representatives on the next steps. Providing reservation in line with the communities’ combined population share of 24.1 per cent required examination within the legal and constitutional framework, he said.
Existing quotas and internal reservation
Muniyappa said the increase to 17 per cent for SCs and 7 per cent for STs had taken overall reservation to 56 per cent. The decision had been made under the Basavaraj Bommai government and continued by the subsequent government, he said.
Following the judgment, the State would have to proceed within the currently applicable reservation limits, he said. Steps concerning internal reservation in education and employment would be taken in accordance with the Cabinet decision, he added.
The minister said the court’s decision must be respected. His remarks describe the government’s position on the ruling; no fresh reservation increase was announced.
Consultation on constitutional protection
He urged examination of other States’ experience, including Tamil Nadu’s Ninth Schedule protection, and said the earlier increase should have been accompanied by adequate constitutional safeguards.
Muniyappa said he would discuss the issue with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, party leaders and the relevant ministers. An agreed course of action should take community representatives into confidence, he said.
The possibility of population-based reservation and legal arguments concerning exceptional circumstances around the 50 per cent ceiling would be examined, he said. The 24.1 per cent figure was a basis for discussion, rather than an announced or approved new quota.
About the Author
