Bengaluru, Oct. 9 -- The longstanding debate over the state's ST reservation policy was reignited after chief minister Siddaramaiah said that the overall quota for Scheduled Tribes (STs) must be expanded to accomodate all the communities already eligible for benefits if the Kuruba community, to which he belongs himself, was included in the state's ST list.

"If Kurubas are included in the ST category, the overall ST quota must be increased. I fully support this. No one should encroach on anyone else's rights or take away opportunities -- this is my firm commitment," Siddaramaiah said while addressing Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti celebrations at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday night.

The chief minister was responding to concerns from the Nayaka com...