Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)
Udupi, May 16: Nearly 300 Scheduled Tribe (ST) community members have decided to go on protest march from Manipal Tiger circle on May 20 and submit a petition to the government through the deputy commissioner urging to increase the reservation to 7% from the current 3%. Koraga community leader Ganesh warned of indefinite protests in front of the deputy commissioner’s office if the government fails to take action.
Speaking in the news conference he said that the population of ST that was 1,92,096 in 1958 with the reservation of 3% has gone up to 42,48,987 but reservation has remained at 3%. “Therefore, the reservation should be increased to 7.5% according to the population. There is already a campaign in the state capital to increase the reservation and an action committee is formed in the district for the purpose. The prevailing injustice to students and the unemployed regarding importance should not happen in the future. There should be support from all the taluks and districts for the campaign in the capital. The petition is submitted at the same time from seven taluk centres to the chief minister through the tahsildar,” he said.
“The ST population in the 2011 census has increased to 42,48,987. There is an increase of 22.11% when compared to the population of 1961. Therefore, the reservation should also be increased,” he urged.
Anant Nayak, Marati Sangha president, Sridhar Gowda, Jayarama Nayak, Bhoja Nayak and Gauri were present.