No proposal before govt on Muslim reservation, claims CM Siddaramaiah’s office

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Office (CMO) on Tuesday responded to media reports claiming that the state government was considering a proposal for Muslim reservation in civil contracts, calling the reports “another new lie”. The CMO clarified that while there has been demand for reservation, “there is no proposal before the government in this regard”.

The clarification comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the issue of reservations for Muslims in Karnataka. The official statement from the CMO said, “A report has been published in some media that a proposal to give reservations to Muslims in jobs is before the government. It is true that there has been a demand for reservation. However, it has been clarified that there is no proposal before the government in this regard”, the CMO added.

➠The proposal to provide reservation to Muslims in Civil Contracts was recommended by the Chief Minister’s Political Secretary on 24th August 2024.

➠Hence, an amendment to to provide reservation to Muslims in public contracts for construction (civil) works up to Rs 1 crore… pic.twitter.com/Q0ZzlfUC40

— Basanagouda R Patil (Yatnal) (@BasanagoudaBJP) November 12, 2024

Last Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the Congress over the issue of Muslim reservation. Speaking at a rally in Palamu, Jharkhand, Shah claimed that the Congress party was attempting to reduce the reservation limits for OBCs, Dalits and tribals to provide reservations for Muslims.

He warned, “Congress talks about reservation, but in our Constitution, there is no such provision to give reservation based on religion. In Maharashtra, some ‘Ulema’ submitted a memorandum about 10 per cent reservation for Muslims. Congress said they would help them… Congress wants to give 10 per cent reservation to Muslims by decreasing the reservation limit for OBCs, Dalits and tribals”.

Shah continued, “I would like to warn Rahul Gandhi that as long as the BJP is present in this country, minorities won’t get reservations”. He emphasised that reservation for OBCs, Dalits and tribals was given by Dr BR Ambedkar, and “you can’t disrespect it”. He also called Congress an “anti-OBC” party, accusing them of injustice to the OBC community in the past.

Adding fuel to the fire, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had in April raised concerns over the Karnataka government’s decision to categorise the entire Muslim community as OBCs. According to NCBC chairman Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, while 36 Muslim castes are included under the OBC category for reservations, there is also an additional 4 per cent reservation granted to Muslims under different categories. Ahir expressed surprise, noting that Muslims in Karnataka, a minority with 12.92 percent of the population, are receiving extensive benefits under the OBC reservation system.

Ahir also pointed out that the state government’s official stance is that Muslims are neither a caste nor a religion. He also stressed that despite requests for clarification, the Karnataka government has not provided a satisfactory response. (ANI)