Congress responds to “divisive politics” as the BJP claims that the Siddaramaiah government’s “religion-based reservation” is unconstitutional.
Karnataka’s 4% Muslim Quota in Government Contracts Sparks Political Controversy
Earlier this month, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a 4% reservation for Muslims under Category-2B in government contracts valued below Rs 2 crore and for procurement of goods and services under Rs 1 crore across various government departments. This announcement was made during his record 16th Budget presentation on March 7.
Opposition BJP’s Strong Backlash
The move has triggered sharp criticism from the Opposition BJP. On March 17, Karnataka BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra labeled the decision as “sarkari jihad” and vowed to oppose it both inside and outside the Assembly.
Understanding the New Quota
The 4% reservation for Muslims is an addition to the existing quota for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
As per the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, the government has now expanded reservations:
- SCs, STs, Category-1, Category-2A, and Category-2B contractors will receive reservations for projects up to Rs 2 crore.
- Similar reservations apply to procurement of goods and services up to Rs 1 crore.
This decision followed appeals from Muslim legislators, who argued that their community was the only backward group excluded from such quotas. Additionally, reports from small Muslim contractors suggested they were often overlooked in government tenders despite being eligible.
On March 14, the Karnataka Cabinet approved amendments to the KTPP Act to implement the new quota.
Existing Quotas in Government Contracts
Currently, SCs and STs enjoy a 24% reservation for government projects under Rs 2 crore and for procurement of goods and services under Rs 1 crore. Category-1 communities receive a 4% quota, while Category-2B has a 15% reservation.
Government’s Justification
Defending the decision, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar criticized the BJP for engaging in divisive politics. He emphasized that Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists are all Indian citizens and deserve fair opportunities.
Shivakumar also challenged the BJP to demonstrate its commitment to unity by appointing Christian or Muslim leaders as Members of the Legislative Council (MLC), Rajya Sabha MPs, or Union Ministers.
BJP’s Allegations Against Congress
The BJP has accused the Congress government of engaging in “appeasement politics.” Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra alleged that the 4% reservation was just the beginning, warning that the Congress might extend the quota further in the future.
He also accused the government of multiple forms of “jihad,” including:
- “Land jihad” through the Waqf Board.
- “Economic jihad” by allocating excessive funds for Muslim welfare.
- “Anti-national jihad” due to alleged pro-Pakistan slogans in the Assembly.
Vijayendra further claimed that the Congress government was behaving like the courts of Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan, where anti-Hindu policies were swiftly approved.
Political Implications of the Reservation
The Congress government aims to solidify its support among Muslims, who played a significant role in the party’s victory in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections. Various studies by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission indicate that the Muslim community, comprising approximately 14% of the state’s population, is among the most socio-economically disadvantaged.
Despite the new quota aligning with existing reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs, the BJP has framed it as an unconstitutional, religion-based reservation aimed at appeasement.
Previous Moves by the Siddaramaiah Government
This is not the first time the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has introduced reservations in government tenders. During his first term (2013–2018), he implemented a quota for SC and ST contractors in tenders up to Rs 50 lakh. After regaining power in 2023, his administration extended this limit to Rs 2 crore and included OBCs in the reservation scheme.
The BJP has also accused the Congress of presenting a budget heavily skewed toward the Muslim community. Opposition leader R Ashoka criticized the government for allocating Rs 1,000 crore for minority colony development and Rs 150 crore for Waqf property repairs.
Additionally, in September 2023, the Congress government mandated Urdu proficiency for anganwadi teachers in two districts. This move faced strong opposition from the BJP, which claimed it sidelined Kannada in favor of minority appeasement.
