Ugrappa urges CM Siddaramaiah to take all-party delegation to Centre on inclusion of reservation act in Ninth Schedule

V.S. Ugrappa, former MP, has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take an all-party delegation to the Centre to appeal to the Prime Minister to include the law that enhances reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

In a press conference in Shivamogga on Monday, Mr. Ugrappa stated that the Karnataka legislature passed the Karnataka Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes and Appointments) Act, 2022, in 2023 and sent it to the Centre for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, after the governor approved it.

“The act increased the reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15% to 17% and that for Scheduled Tribes from 3% to 7% in accordance with the population. As the act has not been included in the Ninth Schedule, the change has not come into effect. The neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu has a total reservation of 69% because the change has been included in the Ninth Schedule,” he said. The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution protects specific laws from judicial review.

Because of the delay in including it in the Ninth Schedule, Mr. Ugrappa stated that the people of the SC and ST communities have been denied opportunities, following court orders. “The Constitution guarantees representation for the SC and ST in accordance with their population. However, those who claim to respect the Constitution have remained silent on this issue. The Karnataka government passed a resolution on the matter during the Belagavi session; however, that alone is not sufficient. The CM should take an all-party delegation to the Centre to put pressure on the PM,” he stated.”

He also questioned the silence of BJP leaders on the issue. “The act to enhance the reservation was passed during the BJP’s rule in the State. However, the Lok Sabha members representing the State and the leaders of the party have not raised their voices to include the same in the Ninth Schedule. Why are B.S. Yediyurappa, former CM, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra, and his brother B.Y. Raghavendra all silent on this issue?” he asked. He also urged RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale to ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfils the demand.