'Serious setback': Ex-Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on HC's move to strike down 56% quota

NEW DELHI: Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday termed the Karnataka high court’s decision to strike down the law enhancing reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) a “serious setback” to historically marginalised communities.The law raised SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7%, taking the combined quota beyond the 50% ceiling."We respect the judiciary. However, the judgment raises fundamental questions about the BJP's handling of social justice. The BJP government increased SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7% ahead of the 2023 assembly elections, despite knowing that total reservation would exceed the 50% ceiling," news agency ANI quoted Siddaramaiah as saying."Why did the BJP announce enhanced reservation without first ensuring its constitutional sustainability? Was electoral advantage prioritised over lasting social justice?"