'Serious setback': Ex-Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on HC's move to strike down 56% quota

Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the Karnataka high court's decision to invalidate the law increasing reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as a "serious setback" to marginalized communities. The law raised SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7%, surpassing the constitutional 50% limit.

Siddaramaiah expressed respect for the judiciary but questioned the BJP's approach to social justice, as the party raised SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7% before the 2023 assembly elections, despite being aware that the combined quota would exceed the 50% cap. ANI quoted Siddaramaiah as wondering why the BJP did not ensure the constitutional validity of the reservation increase before announcing it and whether electoral gains took precedence over long-term social justice.

The former CM emphasized that the demand for enhanced reservation stemmed from "decades of struggle" and criticized the Center for postponing Karnataka's request to add the elevated quotas to the Constitution's Ninth Schedule. Siddaramaiah advocated for a review of the 50% reservation ceiling and urged the state government to explore legal avenues.

Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara echoed the sentiments, describing the ruling as a "serious development with far-reaching implications" for education and public employment. Parameshwara questioned the previous BJP government's decision to pass the law in October 2022 and criticized the Center for delaying action on the Ninth Schedule proposal.

He stressed that Dalit and Adivasi children should be granted "greater opportunities, not prolonged legal uncertainty."