Karnataka Government Sparks Controversy Over Proposed Reservations by Muslims in Public Sector Construction Contracts

The Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka is in the midst of a fresh controversy over reports of a proposal to provide Muslims with a 4% reservation in public sector construction contracts under the 2B category of OBCs. Sources suggest this could be included in a plan for a larger 47% quota for government contracts that is likely to be tabled in the next winter session of Parliament. The BJP has strongly criticized the Congress-led government, accusing it of diverting quotas set for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to benefit Muslims. Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that the move was politically motivated and hurt other backward communities. However, the Prime Minister’s Office (CMO) rejected any concrete proposal to reserve quotas for Muslims in government contracts. The CMO clarified that the existing quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs remain unchanged and the government is considering similar demands from other communities. Congress MLA Mahesh Tenginkai alleged that the BJP is using this issue as a political weapon to target the Congress in poll-bound states like Maharashtra and Jharkhand. With the debate heating up, the proposal, if followed, is expected to lead to more political clashes in Karnataka and beyond.