Bengaluru, Dec 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Taking suo-moto cognizance of violence during the stir by the Panchamasali Lingayats to demanding reservation, in Karnataka's Belagavi, the police registered FIRs against protesters on Wednesday.
Hirebagewadi Police in Belagavi have registered the FIR in this regard under sections 115 (2), 109 (1), 118 (2), 117 (2), 352, 351 (2), 132, 121, 223, 324, 189, 189 (3), 191 (2) and 190 of the BNS Act for obstructing the duty of the police and assaulting the police personnel.
The police have also charged the protestors with attempting to murder policemen.
Meanwhile, Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peeth seer Basavaraj Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swami, who led the protest, condemned the police action and gave a call for the state wide rasta roko protest across the state on Thursday (December 12).
The seer alleged that police in the guise of civilians started pelting stones on the police to target the protestors.
The police acted with vengeance in attacking and assaulting the Panchamasali community members, including lawyers and women.
The seer also urged the community MLAs and MLCs to raise the issue in the session on Thursday.
He charged that by permitting the police to assault community members, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has proved that he is anti-Lingayat.
When asked about the submission by the Karnataka Backward Caste Federation urging the CM Siddaramaiah not to give reservation for Panchamasali Lingayats at any cost, the seer stated that they have the right to make a submission.
"The government must act as per the Constitution. The Constitution gives us the right to demand reservation," he stated.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said the violence during the Panchamasali community's protest in Belagavi on Tuesday and actions of officials is condemnable.
He said that the police officers were arrogant and high-handed.
He demanded that officers involved in the lathi charge be suspended immediately.
He also demanded the Chief Minister to engage with leaders and elders of the Panchamasali community in discussions to resolve the issue amicably and sincerely.
Bommai further urged the state government to strongly defend the legal validity of their reservation order in the Supreme Court and take all necessary measures to fully implement the new reservation policy the previous BJP government had introduced.
In a series of social media posts, Bommai stated that the Panchamasali community is the largest group within the Lingayat sect. The community's contribution to the state as a farming community is significant as well as its historical significance.
He recalled that in 2011-12, the BJP government under B.S. Yediyurappa worked to include the Panchamasali community in the backward classes list. In 2016, the Panchamasali community had appealed to the Backward Classes Commission, chaired by Kantharaj, to include them in Category 2A.
Source: IANS
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