New Delhi: A Brahmin body has opposed the Karnataka government's plan to use the quota for economically weaker sections to fulfil the reservation demands of the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities.

Deccan Herald has reported that Ashok Harnahalli, the president of the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, has called on Brahmins to peacefully protest against this policy, which they view as "anti-Brahmin."

The decision comes after the state cabinet under Basavaraj Bommai decided to form two new reservation categories for the the Vokkaligas and Veerashaiva-Lingayats, DH has reported. Both communities are politically powerful and have been asking for more reservation.

Vokkaligas and Lingayats will continue to receive 4% and 5% reservations as earlier. But now, the government plans to distribute what will be left of the 10% EWS quota after distribution among communities specified under it, among the Vokkaligas and Lingayats too.

Brahmins are among the EWS quota communities.

The Hindu had previously reported on how Karnataka presented a unique challenge for the implementation of 10% reservation for the EWS, in the background of the stipulation that only communities who are not eligible for reservation under any other categories can avail themselves of the benefits of this quota.

Only five communities, members of which make up an estimated 4% of Karnataka's population – Brahmins, Jains, Aryavaishyas, Nagarthas and Modaliars – are thus eligible.

Brahmin activists, according to a video address shared by Harnahalli and reported on by DH, they feel that the inclusion of more communities in the EWS category is unfair. Harnahalli has also cited the fact that the implementation of the quota has taken two years.

Chief minister Bommai has commented on the Mahasabha's opposition by saying the government will discuss the matter with legal experts.

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