Karnataka Assembly Passes 4% Reservation Bill for Muslims, BJP Slams Move
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has passed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, granting a four percent reservation to Muslims in public contracts. The bill reserves four percent of civil works contracts up to two crore rupees and goods and services contracts worth up to one crore rupees for contractors belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) from Muslim communities. The move has sparked a political uproar, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vehemently opposing the amendment.
BJP Calls It an Infringement on OBC Rights
The BJP has strongly criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government, calling the bill unconstitutional and an act of appeasement politics. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra, in a press conference in New Delhi, accused the Congress of infringing upon the rights of OBCs, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs). He argued that the Congress has historically indulged in caste-based politics and nepotism, which have adversely affected the nation’s unity.
“This decision by the Siddaramaiah government is the height of appeasement politics. The Congress Party has always practiced caste-based discrimination and nepotism, and this bill is yet another attempt to divide communities,” Patra said. The BJP has vowed to take legal measures to challenge the bill, citing its alleged violation of constitutional provisions that prohibit reservations based on religion.
Assembly Witnesses Chaos as BJP MLAs Protest
The bill’s passage was met with fierce protests from BJP MLAs, who stormed into the Well of the House, disrupting proceedings. The Speaker, UT Khader, suspended 18 BJP MLAs for six months as marshals forcibly removed them from the Assembly. Following the incident, a delegation of BJP MLAs met Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, urging him to reject the bill and prevent its implementation. The party has indicated that it will explore legal and political avenues to challenge the bill at the national level.
Why Did Congress Pass the Bill?
The Congress government in Karnataka defended the amendment, stating that it aims to provide economic opportunities to marginalized communities within the Muslim OBC category. According to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the bill is designed to ensure fair participation of all backward groups in government contracts and to rectify historical injustices faced by Muslim contractors. The ruling party has emphasized that the provision does not grant reservations based solely on religion but is instead targeted at socially and economically disadvantaged groups within the Muslim community.
Congress leaders argue that the bill aligns with the principles of affirmative action and ensures inclusive growth. They have cited data showing the underrepresentation of Muslim OBC contractors in state tenders and contracts, stating that the amendment is necessary to foster their participation in economic development. The government has also reassured the public that the bill does not take away existing benefits from SCs, STs, or other OBC communities but rather ensures equitable access for all disadvantaged groups.
Legal and Political Implications
Legal experts have raised concerns about the bill’s constitutional validity, as the Indian Constitution prohibits reservations based solely on religion. The Supreme Court, in past judgments, has ruled against such provisions, emphasizing that reservations should be based on social and educational backwardness rather than religious identity.
If challenged in court, the Karnataka government may have to prove that the Muslim contractors benefiting from this reservation fall under the category of socially and educationally backward classes. The BJP has signaled its intent to challenge the bill in the judiciary, potentially leading to a prolonged legal battle.
The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill has sparked a significant political and legal debate. While the Congress government argues that it promotes inclusivity and economic empowerment, the BJP has denounced it as an act of appeasement and unconstitutional favoritism. With the opposition gearing up for legal action and the state government standing firm on its decision, the controversy surrounding the bill is far from over. The coming months are likely to witness intense political and legal battles over the future of this reservation policy.
