Buzz Over 4% Muslim Quota In Karnataka Govt Tenders Sparks Row, Siddaramaiah’s Office Reacts

A huge controversy has erupted in Karnataka after reports of the state government considering a proposal to bring Muslims under the ambit of reservation in public contracts for construction (civil) works emerged on Tuesday.
However, hours later, the Chief Minister’s Office cleared the air and said that there have been demands for reservation, however, there is “no proposal” in this regard.
“It’s true that there is a demand to provide reservation for Muslims in govt contracts but there is no proposal before the government right now,” the Chief minister office said.
Earlier, sources said that Congress-led Karnataka government was considering a proposal to give reservations to Muslims in the government contracts.
The Siddaramaiah government is likely to table a bill in the winter session of the Assembly in this regard, they had added.
What Is The Said Proposal?
Sources had earlier claimed that there is a ‘proposal’ to give reservation for Muslims in public contracts for construction (civil) up to Rs 1 crore on the lines of reservation given to SC and ST communities. This comes as the state government has already provided 24 per cent quota to SC/ST and certain backward classes in the government contracts.
Currently, the state has 43 per cent reservation in the government contracts — OBC in Category-1 (4 per cent), Category-2A (15 per cent). If the said proposal is okayed, the reservation will also include Muslims and the quota limit will be pushed to 47 per cent.
Muslim Reservation In Govt Contracts
Under the latest proposal, Muslims under category 2B will be given 4 per cent reservation in contracts.
“Not just Muslims, other backward classes will be given reservation,” sources said.
The Karnataka government is likely to have 47 per cent overall reservation in the government contracts while also increasing the ceiling to Rs 2 crore.
BJP leader Amit Malviya tore into the Siddaramaiah government over the proposal alleging religion-based reservation as “gross contempt of the Constitution”.
“Siddaramaiah administration in Karnataka is evaluating a proposal to provide reservations to Muslims in public contracts for construction (civil) works. If Muslims are given this quota in Karnataka then whose share will be cut – SC, ST or OBCs? In Telangana too, Muslims have been given 4% reservations, eating into the share meant for the socially backward communities. In Maharashtra, Congress-led MVA has accepted Jinnah-like demand of the All India Ulema Board. It is all about Muslim votes for the Congress, in gross contempt of the Constitution, which precludes any religion-based reservation,” Malviya posted on X.