Karnataka: Amid Turmoil, Congress-Backed Government Approves Muslim Quota Legislation in Assembly
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Synopsis
On March 21, Karnataka's Legislative Assembly witnessed heated protests as the Congress-led government passed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which allocates 4 percent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, igniting significant controversy and opposition.
Key Takeaways
- 4% quota for Muslims in government tenders.
- BJP protests against the legislation.
- Contentions over the constitutionality of the bill.
- Concerns about societal division invoked by the bill.
- CM's defense of the bill citing developmental needs.
Bengaluru, March 21 (NationPress) Amid turmoil, the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was approved by the Legislative Assembly on Friday.
The legislation aims to allocate a 4 percent quota for Muslims in government contracts, a decision that has sparked significant controversy across the state.
BJP representatives, who had already stormed the Well of the House, expressed their strong dissent against the proposed legislation. They tore copies of the Bill and hurled them towards the Speaker's chair while shouting slogans inside the Assembly.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka criticized the ruling party, stating: “It was the Congress party that incited Muslims and fractured the nation. Now, they are further alienating Muslims in Karnataka from the mainstream. You (Congress) are degrading Hindus and perpetrating injustices upon them. Hindus are being killed in this state. They are being belittled. This is a halal government.”
“The government’s bill that offers a 4 percent reservation for Muslims in contract work is unconstitutional. The Constitution does not endorse any reservation based on religion. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution aimed for all religions to advance together, yet this bill seeks to fragment society.”
“The Congress party has already divided the nation once. Now, for the sake of vote-bank politics, they are once again trying to please a specific community. This bill not only offends the sentiments of Hindus but also undermines the rights of SC, ST, and backward-class contractors,” he asserted.
BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra condemned Congress, stating: "The citizens of Karnataka have now witnessed the true nature of the Chief Minister. Congress has been entirely revealed to the public. If the tax revenue of the state is being allocated solely to one religion, should we remain silent?"
Additionally, a delegation of BJP and JD (S) leaders visited the Governor’s residence, submitting a memorandum urging Governor Thaawarcahnd Gehlot to annul the "unconstitutionally proposed bill" that introduces 4 percent reservation based on religion for government contracts.
“The suggested bill threatens to dismantle the social fabric and disrupt harmony among religious communities,” the memorandum emphasized.
“We implore you to rescind or abandon the proposed KTPP (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in order to preserve the harmonious religious fabric of Karnataka. We also request you to instruct the Chief Minister and council of ministers to refrain from pursuing such unconstitutional endeavors, as the state should not divide societies by religion,” the plea from BJP and JD (S) stated.
The memorandum further noted, “It is a misfortune for Karnataka and its people to witness these anti-social, harmony-destroying initiatives disguised as religion-based reservations. The Supreme Court of India and several High Courts have ruled that reservations based on religion are unconstitutional and illegitimate.”
Meanwhile, CM Siddaramaiah responded to the opposition's concerns regarding the Muslim quota, stating: “Opposition leaders, including R. Ashoka, have raised strong objections to the reservations for the Muslim community. Ashoka has claimed that providing reservations based on religion is erroneous.
"The Human Development Index (HDI) for the general category in Karnataka is 0.644, with a disparity of 0.274 points between the general category and minority communities, 0.204 points with Scheduled Castes, and 0.154 points with Scheduled Tribes. This data reveals crucial truths.
“I would like to challenge the opposition: If an entire segment of society remains underdeveloped, how can we anticipate overall progress? The minority population is approximately 15 percent, and for their welfare, we have allocated Rs 4,514 crore in this year’s budget, making up only 1.1 percent of the total budget. Why so much animosity regarding this?” he questioned.
He further stated: "How can India aspire to be a global leader when 14 percent of the population lacks access to education, healthcare, drinking water, housing, and sanitation? Without integrating this 14 percent into the development process, how can we boost GDP and GSDP? Excluding these communities is not only unjust but also unconstitutional.”
This is a budget for all, a "Sarvodaya Budget", and I reiterate this once again, CM Siddaramaiah concluded.
