BENGALURU: The issue of Panchamasalis’ demand for reservation under 2A category was conspicuous by its absence in the Belagavi session. The development is being seen as an indication of the movement losing steam in the wake of the government reaching out to the community leaders.
Representatives of Panchamasalis, the dominant subsect of Lingayats, are seeking to reclassify the community from 3B category, which has 5% reservation, to 2A category, which has 15%, in the other backward classes (OBC) list.
Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamy of Kudalasangama Peeta took out a 450km padayatra from Kudalasangama to Bengaluru earlier this year. The movement assumed political significance since Panchamasalis account for about 65% of Veerashaiva-Lingayats, who constitute around 14% of Karnataka’s total votes. The issue dogged three previous sessions of the legislature as legislators representing Panchamasalis like Basanagouda Patil Yatnal were vocal in pursuing the demand.
Political reasons to blame
Observers attribute the development to political reasons. Industries minister Murugesh Nirani spearheaded the movement before he became minister and BJP MLA Yatnal, who was antagonising then chief BS Yediyurappa, was in the forefront. Congress functionary Vijayananda Kashappanavar had also joined hands with others in leading it.
While Nirani chose to distance himself from the movement after being inducted into the cabinet, Yatnal has adopted a soft stand towards the government after Yediyurappa was replaced by Basavaraj Bommai in July. Kashappanavar became the national president of Akhila Bharatha Panchamasali Mahasabha, that led to division in the unity, and Nirani even attempted to float a separate Panchamasali peeta.
“This is an example of a movement fizzling out due to the intervention of political interests. What we need is a united fight to obtain a separate religion status for the entire Lingayat community instead of splitting it by seeking 2A category reservation for Panchamasalis alone,” said GB Patil, a Panchamasali leader and general secretary of Jagathik Lingayat Mahasabha.
Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swami, however, clarified that the 2A category movement has not been weakened, but they are waiting since CM Bommai has sought time till March to fulfil their demand.
Bommai met Panchamasali leaders in Belagavi on December 16 and told them Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission is conducting a survey and the government is awaiting its report. He also reached out to the community leaders when he unveiled the statue of Kittur Chennamma, a icon appropriated by Panchamasalis, in his home constituency in Shiggaon on December 19. “I think Panchamasalis are convinced that we are conducting a genuine survey and that may be the reason for the issue not being raised in the Belagavi legislature session,” said Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission chairman Jayaprakash Hegde.
Other stakeholders want leaders to set aside politics and strive for the welfare of the entire Veerashaiva-Lingayat community.
