Centre trying to split OBCs, says Karnataka CM

Bengaluru: Flaying the Union government's decision to examine the issue of sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday charged that the Centre is trying to break the unity among  OBCs by trying to raise the bogey of sub-categorisation.

At the Prathibha Puraskar and felicitation function, organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Sangha here, Mr Siddaramaiah said, “The proposed sub-categorisation of OBCs is another  political gimmick by the BJP, which aims nothing but to divide the OBCs on a mere hearsay. If at all they are committed to sub-categorisation, they could have ordered a caste census, instead of ordering to form a commission to look into the issue.” 

Within a federal system, the central government should not snatch the rights of state governments. “State governments must have the right to sub-categorise within OBCs. We will decide which community should get reservation,” he retorted.

He wondered why the BJP, which has never spoken about reservation and had opposed the Mandal Commission report and moves by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to bring in reservation, is now trying to divide the OBCs. “The BJP is against social justice,” he thundered. 

Accusing the BJP of being anti-poor, he said that there is a stiff opposition to the Anna Bhagya scheme which reflected their feudal mentality. “If the poor get food, they will not be available to work as labourers. There is even opposition to Indira Canteens. The rich can have clubs in Cubbon Park but they make a hue and cry about Indira Canteens. Is a playground more important or food,” Mr Siddaramaiah asked.

He sought to know how many times BJP president Amit Shah has spoken in favour of reservation.