Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 11: Leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah, expressed himself strongly against the Supreme Court (SC) verdict on reservations to scheduled castes and tribes in employment and promotions. He stressed that giving reservations does not fall under the discretionary powers of state government, adding that the SC was wrong in saying that the right to reservation is not a fundamental right. "This verdict is against the principles of social justice and basic objectives of the constitution," he stressed.

Addressing a press meet here on Monday February 10, the former chief minister said that this verdict has come as a shocker to people belonging to scheduled castes and tribes besides other backward classes. He expressed the concern that this will further worsen the social inequality situation in the country. He called upon the union government to intervene in the matter and file either review petition or appeal. He asked the central government to see that this issue is referred to the constitutional bench of the SC as this is an issue that falls under the constitutional provisions.

He expressed the opinion that the Supreme Court would have arrived at this conclusion as the advocates appearing for the Uttarakhand state government failed to effectively place their arguments in the SC. "Already BJP leaders and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders etc have spoken many times about review of reservation and bringing amendments to the constitution. Under such circumstances, the central government and states ruled by the BJP might misuse the changed provisions," he pointed out.

Siddaramaiah urged the central government to intervene in the matter if it is committed to the constitution and social justice. He advised the Prime Minister to call an all party meet and hold talks with the classes of people who fall under the reservation category. "The Congress will not allow the reservation provisions to become weak. If the central government neglects this issue, the Congress will take the fight to the streets," he warned.