CM will convene meet before deciding on internal reservations: Anjaneya

Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya on Wednesday said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will shortly convene a meeting with Dalit leaders to take a decision on according internal reservation to Scheduled Castes.

Speaking to reporters after garlanding B R Ambedkar's statue to mark Ambedkar Parinirvana Day in Bengaluru, Anjaneya said, "The Chief Minister will convene a meeting comprising representatives from both sides - those demanding the reservation, and those who are opposing it, and arrive at a suitable decision."

He said that certain sections were trying to spread misinformation that the government might not consider all 101 castes under SC for internal quota. "There is no question of dropping any castes," he said.

He said that the Justice A J Sadashiva Inquiry Commission, which looked into methods of equitable distribution of reservation facilities among Scheduled Castes (SCs), had recommended internal reservation. It had also asked the state government to take up the matter with the Centre for bringing about a suitable law by the Parliament to incorporate the recommendation.

Caste census

Anjaneya also said that the socio-economic caste census had still not been finalised by the Karnataka Backward Classes Commission. He said that the Commission was still in the process of giving finishing touches to the report.

"The Chief Minister will take a call on when to release the survey findings," said Anjaneya, when asked if the report will be released before the upcoming Assembly elections.

Reacting to Pejawar Math seer Vishweshateertha Swami's demand for incorporating changes in the Indian Constitution, Anjaneya said that such changes could not be made.

"Ambedkar has taken into consideration all sections of society while penning the Constitution. Nobody can change it. This is a resolution passed by the Udupi Dharma Sansad. This has nothing to do with the government. It is the duty of every Indian citizen to respect Ambedkar," he added.