Caste quota will only lead to casteism, not justice: Seers

Tumakuru: It appears former minister, Sogadu Shivanna  is not alone in wanting to put an end to reservations based on caste.  

He has support from  religious figures like the junior seer of Siddaganga Math ,  Siddalinga Swamiji, and Hiremath seer,  Shivananda Shivacharya.

“The government has given enough priority to the so called deprived sections of society since Independence. Continuing this will lead to more casteism instead of giving justice to the needy,” argued Siddalinga Swamiji, speaking to  Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday.

Reservations, he said, should  be  based on the financial status of people irrespective of the caste they belonged to. 

“There are thousands of families in all  communities,  including Lingayats and Brahmins, that are extremely poor and need help. Continuation of  caste-based reservations will only divide society. It   should be permanently abolished,” he asserted.

Hiremath seer,  Shivananda Shivacharya too made no bones about  his support for abolition of  caste based quotas. “A few communities have benefited from reservations for two generations. 

It should now apply to all  communities based on  financial status.  If reservation  in the present form continues, it will weaken people from the Other Backward Castes, scheduled caste and tribes, who are currently entitled to it,”  he contended.

However, Pavagada Ramakrishna Math seer,  Japananda Swamiji and Tumakuru Ramakrishna Math seer, Veereshananda Swamiji refused to comment on the issue.

Mr Shivanna, who has  demanded abolition of  caste based reservations,  has claimed it is being misutilised and those who entitled to it are not getting benefits.