MYSURU, 14 DEC

Karnataka State Backward Classes Awareness Forum President, KS Shivaramu, on Saturday alleged that Kudalasangama Lingayat Panchamasali Gurupeeth pontiff, Basava Mrityunjaya Swamiji, who has been leading the Panchamasali Lingayat agitation for 2A reservation, has accepted a “supari” (contract) from the BJP to tarnish Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's reputation.

Speaking at a round-table conference at the Jaladarshini Guest House, Shivaramu criticised Basava Mrityunjaya Swamiji for his recent statements against Siddaramaiah, calling them a deliberate attempt to destabilise the State government. He noted that the pontiff, who previously maintained cordial relations with Siddaramaiah, has now aligned himself with the BJP to push the Panchamasali agenda and "spread venom" against the Chief Minister.

Shivaramu accused the BJP of attempting to malign Siddaramaiah’s image through false allegations, including scandals involving MUDA and the Valmiki Development Corporation, but claimed these efforts failed. He expressed concern that the pontiff’s actions are creating divisions among communities, particularly between AHINDA (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) and upper-caste Lingayats, which could disturb communal harmony.

He further condemned the pontiff’s agitation, labeling it undemocratic and unconstitutional since the matter of 2A reservation is currently under Supreme Court review. Shivaramu also warned that his forum, along with AHINDA classes, would launch a statewide protest if the seer continued advocating for the inclusion of forward Panchamasali Lingayats in the 2A category, which is reserved for economically and socially disadvantaged groups.

Another leader, M. Shivanna, criticised the demand for 2A reservation for the Panchamasali community, arguing that it is already politically, socially, and economically well-off. He stressed that the inclusion of Panchamasalis would jeopardize the benefits currently enjoyed by 199 other backward communities under the 2A category.

The conference concluded with a resolution urging the state government to release the findings of the caste census and to revise reservation policies based on its results. Several OBC leaders, including M. Shivanna, Yogesh Uppar, Khaleem, Kempashetty, S. Ravinandan, and Lakshmi, participated in the event. - Salar News