The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday granted two weeks time to the state government to file objections to the petition seeking to set aside the order passed by the previous BJP-led state government, which classified Scheduled Castes into four groups and allocated internal reservations.
A single-judge bench headed by Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum heard the petition filed by H Ravi from Bangalore.
The lawyer appearing on behalf of the state government sought two weeks’ time to file objections. Granting this, the bench ordered the hearing to be listed after two weeks and adjourned the hearing.
A cabinet sub-committee headed by former law minister JC Madhuswamy has said that Sh. 17 Reservations are said to have 101 Scheduled Castes divided into four categories according to population. The report of the Cabinet Sub-Committee has not been made public. Hence it was explained in the petition that it was not submitted to the court.
On March 27, 2023, based on the recommendation of the cabinet sub-committee, the state government led by the immediate past Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai ordered the classification of reservations. Also, it has been objected in the petition that it has been decided to recommend to the central government to make appropriate amendments to the constitution after the consent of the governor.
In the first group, Adi Dravida, Bhambi, Madiga, Samagara castes are mentioned and they have %. 6, in the second group Adi Karnatak, Chalavadi, Channadasara, Holeya, Mahar Jari are mentioned and for them per cent. 5..5, the third group mentions Banjara and equivalent castes, Bhovi and equivalent castes, Koracha and Korama castes, per cent. 4.5 and in fourth group 1, 2 and 3 unplaced, untouchable and other castes per cent. It has been objected that 1% reservation has been allotted.
The cabinet sub-committee included the points in Justice AJ Sadashiva’s report and the cabinet accepted the sub-committee’s recommendation. AJ Sadasiva’s report is no longer relevant. Thus, Nya. It was explained in the petition that the impugned order stated that the report of the Sadasiva Commission had been concluded.
The division of 101 Scheduled Castes into four categories without any principle, basis, backwardness, supporting data for the decision is illogical, unscientific and against the provisions of the Constitution. The state government’s order is contrary to the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of EV Channaiah and others vs. State of Andhra Pradesh. Thus, it is sought in the petition that the impugned order of the State Government should be set aside.
