Panchamasali protest turns violent, 20 hurt

BELAGAVI/BENGALURU: 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.

- HT Correspondents

The protest, led by Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peetha seer Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamy, aimed to seek inclusion of the Panchamasali community in the 2A category, which offers a 15% reservation, as opposed to their current position in the 3B category with a 5% quota.

According to people familiar with the matter, the clash took place when the demonstrators attempted to breach the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha premises with tractors and blocked National Highway-4.

"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.

He further said that police detained several protestors, including BJP leaders Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Aravind Bellad.

Dharwad BJP legislator Aravind Bellad stated, "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."