Under the pretext of providing Schedule Tribe (ST) tag for the Kuruba community, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is plotting to divide the Kuruba community, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah alleged on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference here, the former Chief Minister alleged that in the name of providing quota for the Kuruba community, RSS leaders such as B.L. Santosh and Dattatreya Hosabale have been using RDPR Minister K.S. Eshwarappa to split the community.
“The RSS or the BJP have never backed any community’s struggle for reservation. There was no sincere attempt on the part of the BJP or RSS leaders to provide ST tag to the community,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said. He added that there was an effort to mislead and create confusion in the community now using Mr. Eshwarappa.
Earlier demand unmet
Mr. Siddaramaiah, who also belongs to the community, said the State government had recommended to the Centre to provide ST tag for the Rajagonda community residing in Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Yadgir districts. However, the Central government had not provided ST tag to the community in the last six years, he pointed out.
The government’s recommendation to include Koli and Golla communities in the ST category had not been considered by the Centre, he added.
Noting that the RSS and the BJP had not been supportive of reservation, he said instead of including the Kuruba community in the ST category, the Centre should increase the ST quota from 3% to 20%. The State government should also accept the caste census report first before provoking the Kurubas to fight seeking quota under the ST list, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
Delegation meets
Meanwhile, a delegation of Muslim community leaders met Mr. Siddaramaiah and submitted a memorandum opposing the proposed anti-cow slaughter Bill expected to be tabled in the coming legislature session.