STs rally for 7.5 pc quota hike, DyCM promises decision after Cabinet meet

Bengaluru: The Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, which accounts for almost nine per cent of the total population of the state, on Tuesday held a huge rally in the city demanding that the quantum of ST reservation be raised from the present three per cent to 7.5 per cent in government recruitments and in educational institutions.

The swamiji of the community, Sri Prasannanandapuri Swamiji of Valmiki peetha addressed the gathering in the company of legislators and ministers belonging to the ST community. He said the government in its next cabinet meeting, has to accept this demand and raise the ST quota. “I have told all 17 MLAs(of the community) to give their resignation letters to me. If all 17 resign from the House, the present government will not survive,” he warned adding that not only Mr Kumaraswamy, even his father (Mr Deve Gowda) would have to accept the demand.

BJP leader B. Sreeramulu while addressing the rally, said that he would resign the day the swamiji asked him to do so. “For the sake of the community, I am ready for any sacrifice,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar, who arrived at Freedom Park to pacify the protesters, assured them that their demand would be placed for discussion in the next cabinet meeting. Later, Mr Kumaraswamy held a discussion with the ST legislators about their demand.

Sources said there is a hidden agenda behind the rally-the protesters want to pressurise the government not to accept the recommendation of an institute in Mysuru for inclusion of the Kurubas in the ST quota.

The STs are worried that they would lose out if the Kurubas are included in the ST bloc.