Valmiki leaders call for urgent action on stalled reservation law

Koppal: A convention of the Valmiki community was held in the city on Sunday, which resolved to press for the inclusion of 2022 Karnataka reservation law in the Ninth schedule of the Constitution and sought removal of the high court’s stay on its implementation.

Former MP VS Ugrappa, Koppal district Valmiki Nayaka Samaja president KN Patil and other leaders submitted a memorandum to chief minister Siddaramaiah through the district administration demanding fulfilment of the community’s demands.

Later, addressing a press conference, Ugrappa said the law had enhanced reservation in education and employment in proportion to the population of SCs (17.1%) and STs (6.95%), taking the total reservation to 56%.

He said thousands of students and job aspirants had benefited from the enhanced reservation during the last two years. They added that the legislation was enacted after decades of struggle and based on the recommendations of Nagamohan Das and Subhash Adi commissions.

Expressing concern over the high court stay, Ugrappa said the order had dealt a setback to social justice for the SC and ST communities. The leaders also sought an urgent meeting of SC, ST and OBC elected representatives along with legal experts to discuss the issue.

They further demanded strict action against people allegedly obtaining fake caste certificates and the officials issuing them.

Office-bearers and members of various Valmiki community organisations participated in the convention.