VS Ugrappa, former MP, addressed the media in Shivamogga on Monday. | Photo credit: SK Dinesh
VS Ugrappa, a former MP, urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take an all-party delegation to the Center and appealed to the Prime Minister to include a law that strengthens reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Addressing a press conference in Shivamogga on Monday, Mr. Ugrappa said that the Karnataka Legislature had passed the Karnataka Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes and Appointments) Bill, 2022 and sent it to the Center for inclusion in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, after the approval of the Governor.
“The Act increased reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15% to 17% and reservation for Scheduled Tribes from 3% to 7% based on population. As the Act was not included in the Ninth Schedule, the amendment did not come into effect. The neighboring state of Tamil Nadu has an overall reservation of 69% as the amendment was included in Schedule N. The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution protects specific laws from judicial review.
Due to the delay in inclusion in the Ninth Plan, Mr. Ugrappa said that people from SC and ST communities were denied opportunities due to court orders. “The constitution guarantees representation of SCs and STs in proportion to their population. But those who claim to respect the constitution are silent on the issue. The Karnataka government passed a resolution on the matter during the Belagavi session; but that alone is not enough. The CM should take an all-party delegation to the Center to put pressure on the prime minister,” he said.
He also questioned the silence of BJP leaders on the matter. “A bill to strengthen reservation was passed during the BJP rule in the state. However, Lok Sabha members representing the state and party leaders did not raise their voice to include the same in the Ninth Plan. Why are BS Yediyurappa, former CM, BJP state president BY Vijayendra and his brother BY Raghavendra silent on this issue?” he asked. He also urged RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale to ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi fulfills the demand.
Published – 16 Feb 2026 20:40 IST