Panchamasalis withdraw protest after Karnataka CM BSY assures reservation report

The Panchamasali lingayats on Monday called off their protest after an assurance by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to look into their reservation demand within six months.

The community, led by seer Jayamrutyunjaya Swamy, has been protesting for close to a month at Freedom Park, demanding that they be included under 2A reservation category. Before arriving at Freedom Park, the seer had taken up a 'Padayatra' from Kudalasangama to Bengaluru.

The seer called off the protest after Yediyurappa assured in Karnataka Legislative Assembly that the report on the reservation demand would be ready within six months. The government has handed over the job to Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission. Apart from the Commission's report, a committee led by a retired High Court judge, is also looking at the reservation demands of various communities. This report too, would be ready in six months, Yediyurappa stated on the floor of the House.

Read | Backward classes to oppose quota for Panchamasali sect

Speaking to DH, the seer said he had withdrawn the protest after the CM's assurance. "We will give the government six months' time as sought by them. If they fail to meet our demands, we will start a massive protest again," he said.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, who has been at the forefront of the Panchamasali stir, asked the government to recall the committee. "When the Backward Classes Commission, which is a quasi-judicial body, is already looking into it, what is the need for another committee?" he sought to know. He, however, thanked the CM for assuring to take a decision on their reservation demand within six months.