Karnataka High Court strikes down law increasing SC/ST quotas

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah labeled the ruling a serious setback for marginalized communities, accusing the previous BJP government of prioritizing electoral gains over constitutional viability. He questioned why the state pursued the hike knowing it would breach the long-standing 50 percent reservation ceiling without securing protection under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. The foundation for these changes originated from the 2018 Justice Nagamohan Das Committee, yet the implementation remained legally vulnerable.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara echoed these concerns, stating that the aspirations of millions cannot be reduced to political convenience. He demanded that the Union Government move beyond citing judicial pendency and address the necessity of a sustainable constitutional framework. As the state weighs an appeal to the Supreme Court, officials emphasize that reservation remains a vital instrument for correcting historical exclusion rather than a discretionary political favor. The government has pledged to pursue all legal avenues to protect the interests of current students and job aspirants affected by the sudden legal uncertainty.