Madiga Panel Warns of Extreme Protest Over Internal Reservation Delay

Bengaluru: The Madiga Internal Reservation Struggle Committee has issued a strong ultimatum to the Karnataka government, demanding a complete halt to reservation in promotions until internal reservation within the Scheduled Castes is implemented. During a massive rally at Freedom Park on Monday, the committee warned of resorting to extreme measures, even risking their lives, if their demands continue to be ignored.

The protest was part of the ongoing Madigara Krantikari Sangharsha Horata (Madiga Revolutionary Struggle Protest), where leaders lashed out at the government for failing to act on the internal reservation issue, despite repeated pleas and months-long protests.

Leading the rally, activist B.R. Bhaskar Prasad alleged sabotage from within the community and criticized the Congress government. “For 98 days, we have conducted a semi-nude chariot march, yet we’ve been met with suppression—arrests, legal cases, and even advice to protest quietly so as not to inconvenience the ruling party,” he said.

Prasad accused the Congress of betraying the Madiga community, citing the Sadashiva Commission report, which found that benefits intended for Madigas were disproportionately cornered by the Holeya sub-group. “We’re told not to name sub-castes to maintain Dalit unity. But this suppresses our identity and continues the injustice,” he said, directly targeting Minister H.C. Mahadevappa for allegedly silencing their struggle, calling him “anti-Madiga.”

The committee made it clear that unless the government acts swiftly on implementing internal reservation and halts promotions under the current system, the protests would intensify. The warning adds pressure on the state leadership to address the decades-old demand that continues to fuel discontent within the Scheduled Caste communities.