Hassan Reservation Row Pits HD Revanna Against Deputy Commissioner

The controversy over reservation for Hassan Gram Panchayat elections has taken a political turn, with former minister and MLA HD Revanna questioning the process and Deputy Commissioner KS Latakumari responding strongly to his remarks.

The dispute began after Revanna alleged that rules were not followed while preparing and publishing the reservation list for Gram Panchayat seats. His comments drew criticism from Congress leaders, while Revanna has stood by his position.

Latakumari responded through social media, saying that if officials had violated any rules, there were established legal channels to challenge the decision. She also objected to what she described as disrespectful and personally hurtful remarks from a senior politician.

Revanna, however, defended his comments and questioned the basis on which the reservation proposals were prepared. He said that he had been elected by voters several times and had a responsibility to speak when people were affected.

He also questioned why proposals had been sought from the taluk level and who had instructed officials to prepare them. Revanna further said that holding an IAS position did not place an officer beyond public scrutiny.

The disagreement has also drawn criticism from Hassan MP Shreyas Patel. He said the reservation process falls within the authority of the election machinery and should be challenged through the appropriate legal process if anyone believes the rules were not followed.

Patel also called for respect toward the office of the Deputy Commissioner and criticised what he described as inappropriate comments directed at the official.

Meanwhile, the reservation issue has moved beyond the verbal exchange between Revanna and the Deputy Commissioner. The JDS organised a large protest in Hassan under the leadership of former minister HK Kumaraswamy, alleging that the reservation was prepared without following a proper methodology.

Protesters formed a human chain near NR Circle and later staged a road blockade for some time outside the Deputy Commissioners office. They demanded that the existing reservation list be withdrawn and that a fresh list be prepared according to the government guidelines.

The JDS has maintained that the allocation of reserved seats does not reflect the prescribed procedure and has called for corrective action before the Gram Panchayat elections.

With political parties now taking opposing positions, the Hassan reservation dispute is likely to remain a major local political issue until the authorities clarify the process and address the objections raised by the parties.