Date:12/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/12/stories/2008041259101200.htm

National

Gowda seeks comprehensive reservation for OBCs

Special Correspondent

“Karnataka quota model should be replicated by Centre”

Bangalore: The former Prime Minister and national president of the Janata Dal (Secular), H.D. Deve Gowda on Friday said the Supreme Court judgment upholding the 27 per cent quota for the Other Backward Classes in central higher education institutions would not really ensure social justice unless there was comprehensive reservation in both education and employment for them.

Mr. Deve Gowda, as Chief Minister of Karnataka between 1994 and 1996, provided 31 per cent reservation for OBCs, including Muslims.

Talking to newspersons, he said the Karnataka quota model, which has remained unchallenged to this day, should be replicated by the Centre and all States.

“I will write to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, the Chief Ministers of all States, heads of all political parties, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP leader L.K. Advani and CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat among others to forge a consensus on bringing about a comprehensive reservation policy for the OBCs.”

While he “wholeheartedly welcomed” the apex court ruling, he did not subscribe to the “self-congratulatory tone of some political parties hailing it as an ultimate victory for social justice.”

The judicial validation of this particular Act, brought in by the Congress-led government is only “one among several baby steps in the quest for social justice, the credit for which goes to the Socialist branch, including the JD(S) and not the Congress and the BJP.”

He said, apart from admissions to IITs and IIMs, the government should provide reservation for the OBCs in all other educational institutions and in employment, particularly in the government departments and agencies.

Mr. Gowda appreciated the creamy layer concept highlighted in the apex court order. The rule should also be applied for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, he added.

On the poll scenario in the State, the former Prime Minister alleged that despite the code of conduct in force, the Congress continued to have a grip over the administration.