Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Karnataka leaders criticize ruling striking down higher SC and ST quotas
The Karnataka High Court has struck down a law that increased reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the state.
The law raised the Scheduled Caste quota from 15% to 17% and the Scheduled Tribe quota from 3% to 7%.
Together, the quotas went above the 50% ceiling.
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah called the ruling a serious setback for historically marginalised communities.
He also criticized the earlier state government for raising the quotas without first ensuring the law could withstand legal scrutiny.
Deputy chief minister G. Parameshwara said the state would examine legal options, including an appeal to the Supreme Court.
Siddaramaiah also urged a review of the 50% ceiling, while the state’s request to include the quotas in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule had been deferred by the Centre.
The Karnataka High Court struck down a law that increased reservation quotas for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah called the ruling a “serious setback” for historically marginalised communities.
Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said the state would examine legal remedies, including an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The law raised the SC quota from 15% to 17% and the ST quota from 3% to 7%, taking the combined quota above the 50% ceiling.
Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara criticised the previous BJP government for passing the law and the Centre for delaying a proposal to include the quotas in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule.
- Who
- Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara criticised the ruling.
- What
- The Karnataka High Court struck down a law increasing reservation quotas for SCs and STs.
- When
- Monday; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Karnataka.
- Why
- The court’s reasons are not stated in the source. The leaders said the ruling could harm opportunities for marginalised communities.
Karnataka leaders
Karnataka High Court
Effect of ruling
Karnataka leaders
Siddaramaiah called it a serious setback for historically marginalised communities, and Parameshwara said it had far-reaching implications for education and public employment.
Karnataka High Court
The court struck down the law increasing SC and ST reservation quotas.
The Karnataka High Court struck down the law increasing reservation for SCs and STs.
Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara criticised the ruling, and Parameshwara said the state would examine legal remedies.
- SC reservation
- Increased from 15% to 17% under the law
- ST reservation
- Increased from 3% to 7% under the law
- Combined quota
- Above the 50% ceiling
- Law enacted
- October 2022
- Possible legal remedy
- Appeal before the Supreme Court
What people are saying
Reservation is not charity
Why did the BJP announce enhanced reservation without first ensuring its constitutional sustainability?
will examine all available legal remedies, including an appeal before the Hon'ble Supreme Court
Sources
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