Making sense of the reservation churn in Karnataka
Even the Panchamasalis, who are reading the riot act to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, have two key ministers with meaty portfolios.
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The Lingayats and Vokkaligas have powerful leaders in every party that matters in the state. (Express Illustrations)
Karnataka is in a churn. Just about every other community, irrespective of their equation with power, is demanding inclusion in the SC/ST or OBC list. The Panchamasalis, a subsect of the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, have set off a massive movement, supported by religious heads, demanding ‘upgradation’—they would rather be treated as landless artisans under 2a, than be considered landed agriculturists under 3b in the state list, thereby enhancing their share in the reservation pie from 5 to 15%.