Ugrappa demands Ninth Schedule protection for Karnataka reservation law
V S Ugrappa, a prominent leader, has urged the central government to include Karnataka's reservation law in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This move aims to protect the state's quota policy from judicial scrutiny. The demand comes amid concerns over proposed reductions in Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations.
Proposed cut in ST quota sparks controversy
The Karnataka state government had announced plans to fill 72,000 vacant posts across various departments. Initially, STs were allocated 7% of these vacancies. However, the government now proposes to reduce this to 3%. According to Ugrappa, this reduction would lead to a loss of 2,888 posts for ST candidates. He emphasized that such a cut undermines the constitutional mandate for ST reservation.
Ninth Schedule as a safeguard
The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution provides immunity to laws from judicial review on the grounds of violating fundamental rights. By including the Karnataka reservation law in this schedule, the state aims to shield it from legal challenges. Ugrappa argued that this step is essential to ensure social justice and protect the interests of marginalized communities. He called on the Centre to act swiftly to prevent any dilution of reservation benefits.
Political reactions and implications
The demand has sparked political debate in Karnataka. Supporters of the move argue that it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the reservation system. Critics, however, view it as an attempt to bypass judicial oversight. The state government has yet to officially respond to Ugrappa's appeal. The issue is expected to be raised in the upcoming legislative session.
According to Ugrappa, "The reduction from 7% to 3% is a direct attack on the rights of ST communities. We cannot allow this to happen without a strong fight. Including the law in the Ninth Schedule is the only way to protect our reservation."
