The Balija community has a population of 45 lakh in the State. Working towards being a part of the mainstream of the society alone can ensure the community’s empowerment, said P C Mohan, MP from Bangalore Central in Chikkaballapur recently.
Addressing a pre-preparatory meeting of Balija Association at the premises of Yogi Narayana mutt in the City, in the wake of a huge Balija convention to be organised at Palace Grounds in Bangalore, he said: “Success will evade people belonging to the Balija community unless they are part of the mainstream of the society.”
Balija is one of the most socially and economically backward community in the society. They are primarily a chief Telugu trading caste, who are scattered all over and are known by different nomenclatures in different parts of the country. Their main occupation being petty business, they have been a disadvantaged and highly exploited lot. Also, they are known by different nomenclatures in different parts of the country.
Considering the socio-economic status of the Balijas, they have been moved from Category 1A to 2A. The community which has secured reservation in the field of education should fight for reservation in other spheres as well, said Mohan.
Growth hampered
“Without reservation, members of the Balija community cannot wage an intense struggle. Lack of reservation for the community, which has been oppressed for generations together, will only hamper their social, economic and political growth,” said former legislator P S Prakash.