A clash broke out between the police and the protesters belonging to the Panchamasali Lingayat community, who have been demanding inclusion in the 2A category of Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation, outside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, police said, adding that about 20 people were injured in the incident.
After the seer and protesters were prevented from entering, the mob resorted to stone pelting, injuring about 20 people and damaging a dozen vehicles. The injured included both the protesters and the personnel,” additional director general of police (ADGP) (law and order) R Hitendra, was in charge of maintaining peace in the area.
The Panchamasali community is the largest group in the Lingayat sect but despite their political prominence, they are deprived in education and job sectors. This protest will not end until the demand is met.Despite their qualifications, the youth remain jobless for many reasons. They will be able to get good jobs and education if the reservation is granted according to the 2A category.
He reiterated his commitment to uphold democratic rights, adding, “We are not opposed to protesting in a democracy. Everyone has a right to protest in a democracy, and they are doing it.”