Bengaluru: Leaders of several Dalit organizations on Saturday demanded the state government to promulgate an ordinance on reservations in promotion (RiP) policy ahead of the Supreme Court’s hearing of the petition on the policy.
During a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, leaders of the co-ordination committee of Dalit organizations demanded immediate steps to protect the interests of Dalits. These leaders contended that incase the apex court strikes down the RiP policy, several thousand SC employees could be deprived of their posts. “The government should immediately promulgate an ordinance to safeguard the interests of Dalits,” they demanded.
Besides, they requested the CM to list the services of a reputed advocate to argue the state’s points during the hearing on Monday. Unlike Vokkaligas and Lingayats, Dalits wanted the caste census report to be disclosed. “First, release the report and then, based on the report, the reservations should be increased to 70 per cent,” these leaders argued, besides seeking immediate implementation of recommendations of the Justice Sadashiva Commission report which pitched for internal reservations among 101 communities in the Dalit bloc.
Mr Siddaramaiah assured that he would take a look at the demand for an ordinance. Dalit leaders Lakshminarayana Nagavara, Mavalli Shankar, Shridhar Kaliveer and Sagar, participated in the discussions with Mr Siddaramaiah.
