Vijayapura: Condemning the Basava Jayamrutunjaya Swamy of Kudalasangama for welcoming government decision of two percent reservation to Panchamasalis by taking away the reservation of Muslims, said Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Spokesperson S. M. Patil Ganihar and has urged the Seer to reject the decision.
“ How can the Seer who is calling himself as the follower of Basaveshwara accept a reservation facility for his community by depriving the same facility to Muslims. Basavanna taught equality for all but not by taking away the rights of others. Despite knowing this, the Seer has welcomed the government decision which is grossly unfortunate,” he said.
Addressing presspersons on Saturday April 1, he said that no Muslim ever opposed the demand of Panchamasali Community to seek 2A reservation, but the Muslim never said that it should be done by taking away their share of reservation.
“Many Muslim leaders had joined the agitation led by the Seer for demanding 2A reservation for Panchamasali community. But today, instead of meeting their demand, the Government has given reservation by depriving the same benefit to Muslims. Such an act should never be accepted by Seers of Panchamasali Community who believe in the ideology of Basavanna,” Patil said.
He called Former MLA of Hundgund, Vijayanand Kashappanavar as the real follower of Basavanna who refused to accept the Government decision by saying that the decision is against the ideology of Basaveshwara.
Ganihar was also upset with the Lingayat Leaders of the Congress for not raising voice against the decision which has caused damage to the Muslims.
Taking a dig at the announcement of the Government of giving reservation to Muslims under EWS (Economically Weaker Section), Ganihar said that the decision is only to hoodwink the Muslims.
“If the BJP really wants to give reservation to Muslims under the 10 percent EWS quota, then let it first fix the quantum of reservation for the Muslims in the 10% quota. Without doing that, the Government has simply put Muslims under EWS,” he said.
Asserting that the BJP has taken the decision only to appease the community at the fag end of Government’s tenure, Ganihar said that Muslims will challenge it in the court to seek justice.
