NEW DELHI: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday termed the Karnataka high court’s decision to strike down the law enhancing reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) a “serious setback” to historically marginalised communities.The law raised SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7%, taking the combined quota beyond the 50% ceiling.“We respect the judiciary. However, the judgment raises fundamental questions about the BJP’s handling of social justice. The BJP government increased SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7% ahead of the 2023 assembly elections, despite knowing that total reservation would exceed the 50% ceiling,” news agency ANI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying.“Why did the BJP announce enhanced reservation without first ensuring its constitutional sustainability? Was electoral advantage prioritised over lasting social justice?” he added.He said the demand followed “decades of struggle” and criticised the Centre for deferring Karnataka’s request to include the enhanced quotas in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule.
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“Reservation is not charity,” Siddaramaiah said, calling for a review of the 50% ceiling and urging the state government to pursue legal remedies.Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara also described the ruling as a “serious development with far-reaching implications” for education and public employment.He questioned the previous BJP government’s decision to enact the law in October 2022 and criticised the Centre for delaying a decision on the Ninth Schedule proposal.Parameshwara said the state government “will examine all available legal remedies, including an appeal before the Hon’ble Supreme Court”. He added that Dalit and Adivasi children must inherit “greater opportunities, not prolonged legal uncertainty”.