OBC reservation in urban local bodies: Dharna planned to protest SC order

Mysuru: The demand of the backward classes for seats to be reserved for their communities in the urban local bodies remains to be fulfilled, but the Supreme Court has ordered the competent authorities to proceed with elections to these institutions, much to the dismay of these communities. Disappointed with the development, activists of the Hindulida Vargagala Rajakiya Meesalathi Samrakshana Vedike announced that they would sit on a dharna near the Mysuru deputy commissioner’s office on Wednesday.
Chief convener of the vedike KS Shivaram dubbed the Supreme Court’s directive to the state government a ‘death knell’ to the political aspirations of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). “We want the state government to defer elections to ULBs till the pending dispute over reservation is resolved by the apex court,” Shivaram said.
Urging chief minister Basavaraj Bommai to convene a special session of the assembly, Shivaram said, “The government must table a bill aimed at postponing elections to ULBs by six months, and seek the governor’s assent. Such measures need to be taken to protect the interests of the backward classes. Seats are not reserved for OBCs either in the Lok Sabha or in the legislative assemblies. Being denied reservation in these bodies is unjust since it is hard for us to contend with the dominant communities.”
Shivaram criticised the state government for failing to stand up for the rights of the OBCs in the Supreme Court. “The government failed to furnish detailed information, which could have helped prove that the condition of the backward classes left much to be desired. OBCs must be allotted reservation in such a manner that it does not breach the 50% quota,” he added.
Shivaram called on leaders from OBC communities across the political spectrum to extend support to the vedike’s cause. “Barring former chief minister Siddaramaiah, who has been vocal in extending support to the issue, few others have exerted any pressure on the government. The government must also implement the recommendations of the OBC commission chairman H Kantharj report,” he said.
Former MLC KC Puttasiddashetty was among those who was present at the interaction with representatives of the media.