BJP Criticizes Siddaramaiah's 'Halal' Budget and Religion-Based Reservations
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Synopsis
The Karnataka BJP has condemned the Siddaramaiah government's 'halal' budget and religion-based reservations, calling it a peak of appeasement politics. Amit Malviya criticized the undermining of SC, ST, and OBC rights and highlighted significant budget allocations favoring Muslims.
Key Takeaways
- BJP criticizes Congress for 'halal' budget.
- 4% public works contracts reserved for Muslims.
- Concerns about undermining SC, ST, and OBC rights.
- Historical reference to Manmohan Singh's statements.
- Budget favors religion-based reservations.
Bengaluru, March 7 (NationPress) The Karnataka BJP has expressed strong criticism of the Congress-led Siddaramaiah administration's ‘halal’ budget and religion-based reservations, labeling it as the pinnacle of appeasement politics.
On social media, Amit Malviya, who oversees BJP's National Information and Technology Department and is also co-in-charge of West Bengal, stated, ‘The Congress is determined to undermine the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs, as outlined in Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution. No reservations should be granted based on religion. India will not allow the Congress to execute their nefarious plans.
Malviya recounted a significant statement from December 9, 2006, when then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted, ‘We must create innovative strategies to ensure that minorities, especially the Muslim minority, receive equitable access to development benefits. They should have the first claim on resources.’
Malviya pointed out that Singh reaffirmed his position during the lead-up to the April 2009 Lok Sabha elections, emphasizing that poor Muslims should receive priority regarding national resources.
According to Malviya, Manmohan Singh insisted that Muslims should have the first right to resources.
Today, while unveiling the state budget, CM Siddaramaiah confirmed that 4 percent of public works contracts will be allocated to Muslims under CATEGORY-II B, he noted.
Additionally, he highlighted that reservations will be implemented in the procurement of goods and services for SC, ST, Category-I, Category-II A, and Category-II B suppliers, up to Rs 1 crore, with Category-II B specifically referring to Muslims.
On the social media platform X, BJP Karnataka remarked, ‘Scam CM @ Siddaramaiah in Karnataka presents a Halal Budget - at its peak of appeasement.’
The BJP detailed various allocations, including: reservation for Muslims in government contracts; Rs 50,000 assistance for Muslim simple marriages; Rs 150 crore for the development of Waqf properties and graveyards; Rs 50 lakh for Muslim cultural programs; a new ITI college in Muslim-majority areas; 50 percent fee concessions for Muslim students through KEA; a Residential PU college for Muslim girls in Ullal town; increased national and foreign scholarships for Muslim students; the expansion of Bengaluru's Haj Bhavan; and self-defense training for Muslim girl students announced in the budget.
The BJP further emphasized, ‘What about SCs, STs, and OBCs? Absolutely nothing!’
‘CM Siddaramaiah’s misleading budget has introduced religion-based reservations for Muslims, which contradicts the principles of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar! The unconstitutional budget presented by Siddaramaiah has once again revealed the Congress party's disdain for Ambedkar,’ they concluded.
