Shivakumar to Pursue Legal Action for Misrepresentation on Muslim Quota Comments

Bengaluru, March 24 (NationPress) Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Monday his intention to take legal action against the BJP for misrepresenting his statements regarding the Muslim quota.

“I will file a breach of privilege motion and initiate legal proceedings due to their misrepresentation. The BJP is twisting my words and misinterpreting my statements. The Congress Party respects the Constitution and its workings. The BJP is intentionally misquoting me, and I will take action for this breach of privilege,” Shivakumar declared.

He asserted that the Congress Party is committed to defending the Constitution, which he considers both a responsibility and a birthright.

“Our party played a role in drafting the Constitution, and we are dedicated to its protection,” he emphasized.

The Deputy Chief Minister claimed to possess greater political experience than Union Minister and BJP President J.P. Nadda.

“I casually noted that various amendments have occurred following judicial rulings. Any reservations offered are part of the backward classes quota. I never claimed the Congress would change the Constitution. I simply pointed out that constitutional amendments can occur based on judicial decisions. If the BJP wishes to misinterpret my comments, they are free to do so,” Shivakumar responded.

He further accused the BJP of misleading the populace for political advantage, asserting that their popularity is waning.

“If the BJP avoids mentioning the Gandhi family, they won’t find rest. This is a political conspiracy against me and my party. However, as this issue is being addressed in Parliament, they have specific protections,” he stated.

Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad also clarified that Shivakumar might have mistakenly said “change of Constitution” instead of “amendment of Constitution.”

He stressed that altering the Constitution is impossible and that the Muslim quota can be implemented under existing legal frameworks.

In response to the controversy, BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra argued that Shivakumar’s comments reveal the Congress party’s true agenda, which is to amend the Constitution for the sake of Muslim appeasement.

“This also reveals the Congress leaders’ lack of respect for B.R. Ambedkar,” he added.

Vijayendra asserted that the Constitution explicitly prohibits religion-based reservations. “Yet, Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are prepared to go to any lengths for Muslim appeasement. They have even begun discussing constitutional changes. This is an unconstitutional statement and is unattainable under the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he stated.

Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, referencing the BJP's strong objections to Shivakumar’s comments in the Rajya Sabha, noted that the party criticized the Congress for suggesting constitutional amendments to provide reservations for Muslims.

“In 1947, the Muslim League raised the issue of Muslim representation and reservations in the Constituent Assembly, but it was rejected. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution does not include provisions for religion-based reservations. The Congress has become the new Muslim League,” he asserted.

On Sunday, concerning Shivakumar’s remarks at a media conclave, Amit Malviya stated that he (Shivakumar) openly claims that the Congress intends to amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims.

“Where is Rahul Gandhi, the self-styled defender of the Constitution now? The Congress has always prioritized appeasement over national interests. They did not hesitate to partition the country along religious lines and ensured that Muslims remained. There could be no greater betrayal,” he concluded.

He added that Congress has never been fair to Hindus, nor will they ever be.