BANGALORE: Speakers at the State-level convention of the Raju Kshatriya community on Sunday demanded 5 per cent reservation for Raju Kshatriyas and its 18 synonymous castes as also 15 linguistic minorities within the category IIA of the scheme of reservation in the State.

The function was "unique" since it was the first programme where Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and his father and Janata Dal (S) president and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, were to share the dais. But Mr. Deve Gowda arrived first, about 90 minutes late, and it was after he had left that Mr. Kumaraswamy arrived at the Palace Grounds, venue of the programme.

Deve Gowda hailed

Sangha president and Janata Dal (S) leader L.K. Raju praised Mr. Deve Gowda as the saviour of backward classes.

He said the Kshatriyas, who had aspired for a share in the reservation pie, have been inspired to renew their demand after Mr. Deve Gowda last year came up with the idea of internal reservation for Kurubas and Idigas within the Backward Classes quota.

Mr. Deve Gowda said: "As long as I am alive, I will not give up fighting against conflict over religion and caste."

Hope

Although he was disappointed that Mr. Kumaraswamy had been unable to join him, Mr. Deve Gowda, who has been ill for the past two months, ever since his son's "coup" to become Chief Minister, said: "Wait till the budget is over."

"My son will definitely do something for you. Even if he doesn't come here today, you must give him your memorandum and he will take action."

The population of Raju Kshatriyas is about 30 lakh. The category has 101 castes and accounts for 15 per cent reservation.

The synonymous castes include Ram Kshatriya, Ramraj Kshatriya, Kshatriya, Koteraju, Kote Kshatriya, Mall Kshatriya, Jatti, Mallur, and Sahasrarjuna Kshatriya.

The linguistic minorities whose cause the sangha has taken up include Ambalavasi, Hoovadiga, Mali, Katuga and Aryan.

Mr. Deve Gowda said many commissions have made various recommendations for Backward Classes, from Mandal Commission at the national level, to Venkataswamy and O. Chinnappa Reddy commissions at the State level.

Heartburn

O. Chinnappa Reddy or the Third Karnataka Backward Classes Commission set up during Ramakrishna Hegde's time was drafted without the chairman even visiting Bangalore and some of the recommendations had caused a lot of heartburn.

"But when I became Chief Minister and brought in 4 per cent reservation, and even created a slot for Muslims and the economically backward, none of the 75 legislators belonging to the Vokkaliga or Lingayat communities had thought they must protest," he said.

He said even though he was criticised for his suggestions on internal reservation last year and even made fun of, this was something close to his heart and he would defend it.

Apology

Several minutes after Mr. Deve Gowda left, Mr. Kumaraswamy reached the venue, apologised for the delay (two-and-a half hours) and said he had been held up in discharging his duties as a Chief Minister.

Repeating Mr. Deve Gowda's assurance on his behalf, Mr Kumaraswamy said immediately after the budget session is over; he will address the demands of the Kshatriya community, whose various groups trace lineage to Krishnadevaraya and to the Mysore royal family.

Science and Technology Minister Ramachandra Gowda, and Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math were present.

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