A convention of the Valmiki community was held in Koppal on Sunday, during which participants resolved to press for the inclusion of the 2022 Karnataka reservation law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. They also sought the removal of the high court's stay on its implementation.
Former MP V.S. Ugrappa, Koppal district Valmiki Nayaka Samaja president K.N. Patil, and other leaders submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah through the district administration, demanding fulfilment of the community's demands.
Later, addressing a press conference, Ugrappa said the law had enhanced reservation in education and employment in proportion to the population of Scheduled Castes (17.1%) and Scheduled Tribes (6.95%), taking the total reservation to 56%. He stated that thousands of students and job aspirants had benefited from the enhanced reservation during the last two years. The leaders added that the legislation was enacted after decades of struggle and based on the recommendations of the Nagamohan Das and Subhash Adi commissions.
Expressing concern over the high court stay, Ugrappa said the order had dealt a setback to social justice for the SC and ST communities. The leaders also sought an urgent meeting of SC, ST, and OBC elected representatives along with legal experts to discuss the issue. They further demanded strict action against people allegedly obtaining fake caste certificates and the officials issuing them.
Office-bearers and members of various Valmiki community organisations participated in the convention.
