Samiti Warns of Protests Over Demand to Include Vijayapura Under Article 371(J)

Hyderabad Karnataka Horata Samiti president Lakshman Dasti has strongly opposed efforts to include Sindagi and Indi taluks, along with Vijayapura district, under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. Speaking at a press conference in Kalaburagi on November 3, 2026, he stated that Article 371(J) was specifically created to fix regional imbalances in the seven districts of the former Hyderabad Karnataka area, now known as Kalyana Karnataka.

Samiti Demands

Mr. Dasti made it clear that while other regions can seek their own separate constitutional amendments for special status, any move to bring Vijayapura areas under the current Article 371(J) provisions will be met with strong opposition. He criticized BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra for supporting the Sindagi agitation, noting that such a stand hurts people's sentiments in Kalyana Karnataka. He also raised concern over reports that some candidates from Sindagi are getting unauthorized Article 371(J) certificates to claim MBBS seats and other benefits.

Action Plan

Warning of a major protest if even a single village outside the seven districts gets included, Mr. Dasti urged students and youth to stay alert. He asked the State Government to take the issue seriously, strictly enforce a February 1, 2023, circular on job quotas, and set up a separate ministry to oversee Kalyana Karnataka development. He also called for strict checks on certificate applications to stop unauthorized people from taking benefits meant for the region.

Context

Article 371(J) of the Constitution provides special reservation in education and public employment for people belonging to the specific backward districts of the Kalyana Karnataka region. Such special status provisions are designed to bridge development gaps in historically backward areas by reserving local jobs and educational seats.