Karnataka internal quota: BJP's Madiga leaders warn of stir from Aug 1

Expressing displeasure over the delay in implementing internal reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), BJP leaders - including former deputy CM Govind Karjol, former union minister A Narayanaswamy - and Madiga community representatives, on Tuesday, announced a statewide agitation from August 1.

If the state fails to act, they warned of a ‘do or die’ protest from August 16.

Narayanaswamy told reporters here that the protest would begin with mass sit-in demonstrations in front of the offices of the deputy commissioners and the taluk offices in the state on August 1.

“We chose this date as it marks the first anniversary of the Supreme Court’s verdict favouring internal reservation, delivered by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud,” he said.

Narayanaswamy warned that if no Cabinet decision was taken in this regard and announced in the legislature by August 10, a gathering of 4,000–5,000 members would decide on calling for a Karnataka bandh. “We will also begin a non-cooperation movement,” he said.

He said the Madiga community had fought for over three decades for internal reservation. 

The leaders alleged that the government had not provided key data to the Justice Nagamohan Das commission — including Election Commission figures on caste-wise representation since 1976, in ZPs/TPs/GPs, in government jobs and co-operative sector nominations and appointments.

Karjol demanded implementation of internal reservation by August 16. “The promise was in the 2023 manifesto of the Congress, but they keep delaying,” he said, accusing the government of betrayal.

“We no longer trust the CM, he bowed to the party high command,” the two BJP leaders said.