Bengaluru, Oct. 13 -- Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah termed the Karnataka High Court's judgment striking down the law to enhance reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities as a "serious setback" to the aspirations of historically marginalised communities.

In a press statement issued on Monday, Siddaramaiah questioned the BJP government's handling of the issue, alleging that the increased reservation quotas--from 15 per cent to 17 per cent for SCs and from 3 per cent to 7 per cent for STs--were implemented ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections despite the administration being aware that the total reservation would exceed the 50 per cent ceiling.

"We respect the judiciary. How...