Idigas upset with extension of reservation to Panchamasalis

SHIVAMOGGA: The Idiga community on Sunday opposed reservation for Panchamasalis, the sub-sect of the Lingayat community, and asked the government for a board to develop the community with a grant of Rs 500 crore.
They also demanded land documents for people displaced during the construction of Sharavathi dam. They also asked the government to stop meddling with Siganduru Chowdeshwari Temple.
More than 5,000 people from various taluks in the district took part in a march from Idiga Bhavan, near Circuit House to Government Science College field where the community held a mega convention here. Seers and leaders of Idiga community inaugurated the meet.
Addressing thee people, leader Satyajit Surathkal said that the upper castes are laying claim to reservation based on their living conditions in the society. "Historically the Idigas remained backward due to the dominance of the upper castes. Reservation helped the community to uplift itself. But, sadly some of the upper castes are trying to snatch the reservation," he said, emphasising that the community leaders will not give up our rights provided by the Constitution.
He said even after six decades, people displayed by the Sharavathi dam project are forced to fight for their land rights. The government should take it up on priority and help them settle it, he said.
Surathkal asked the BJP government to name the under-construction Shivamogga Airport after former CM S Bangarappa.
Sagar MLA Harathalu Halappa, who attended the event, said that the community has seven legislators. Of them two - V Sunil Kumar and Kota Shrinivas Poojari - are the ministers. After Bangarappa, Sunil Kumar has emerged as a mass leader who has potential to become CM in the future, he said.
The BJP MLA claimed that a board for the development of Idigas will be set up by the government, but stressed on the funds to take up empowerment projects. Halappa expressed concern over the demand for reservation by various castes and communities, which, he said, will affect communities who have been extended the reservation.
Former Congress MLAs Kagodu Thimmappa, Madhu Bangarappa and Gopala Krishna Beluru stayed away from the convention.