Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami of Kudalasangama Math will launch Pratignya Kranti Abhiyan to create awareness about the demand for re-categorisation of reservation for Panchamasali community and the alleged police brutalities on protestors.
The campaign will start from Kudalasangama on Januuary 14 and will go around villages in 200 Assembly constituencies in the State.
“I will conduct dialogue, negotiations and agitation with members of the community. I will speak to them to create awareness about the agitation,” he told reporters on Monday.
“Our agitation committee members faced brutal lathi-charge. We had asked for the suspension of police officers involved in the incident. Sadly, however, the government has announced a reward for those involved in the lathi-charge. We condemn this,” he said.
He said that community lawyers have approached the Dharwad Bench of the High Court of Karnataka against the lathi-charge. “The court has issued a notice to the government,” he added.
“We have strongly condemned the lathi-charge and sought suspension of the police officers involved. But the State government has announced cash awards for them. We believe it is only to spite us,” he said.
To a query, he said that he has already condemned the alleged insult of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar by BJP MLC C.T. Ravi. Various Panchamasali associations have condemned the incident, he said.
He denied the allegations that he is pro-BJP. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of lying on the floor of the House about the reservation issue and its legal implications.
He said that he will urge the State government to issue a notification regarding re-categorisation issued in 2016, including Panchmashali community in 2D.
To a question, he said that he will demand publication of the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission report by the State government and implementation of the Census by the Union government.
He said that he will also seek some action on the issue of internal reservation, as it will provide empirical data for the government to ensure re-categorisation of the community.
Published – December 23, 2024 09:30 pm IST