Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 5: Upset over the delay on part of the government in implementing the Sadashiva Commission report on internal reservation among the Scheduled Castes, a section of Dalit leaders walked out of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s pre-budget meeting as a mark of protest.

Dalit leaders Marasandra Muniyappa, N Murthy and others accused the CM of deliberately delaying the implementation of the report. This was followed by a heated argument and the CM’s attempts to pacify them failed.

Murthy went on to allege that Siddaramaiah aims to divide the sub-castes among the Dalits, the way he has done with the Lingayats, a reason he cited as the main reason for delay.

The state government is facing a dilemma as there is a difference of opinion among the Dalit leaders regarding implementation of the report. The Dalit left wing leaders want internal reservation while the right wing leaders are opposing the same.

Justice Sadashiva Commission was setup to examine and report whether the benefits of the government reached all sub-sects equally. If not, then the committee was asked to study the situation and come up with suggestions to improve the condition of the people.

The Sadashiva Commission report that came out with terms of reference on division of SC categorisation of reservation also divided SCs as Left, Right, Touchables and others.