Congress Refutes BJP’s Claims of Religion-Based Reservations in Karnataka, Citing Socio-Economic Factors as Basis for Policy
The Indian National Congress has vehemently denied allegations leveled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the Karnataka government’s decision to grant a 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts. The Congress insists that the reservation policy is rooted in socio-economic backwardness, not religion, and is based on a categorization of backward classes established in 1994. The party accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and distorting the facts to create a communal divide.
The controversy ignited when BJP members claimed that Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, had proposed a constitutional amendment to facilitate the 4% reservation for Muslims. Shivakumar categorically denied this allegation, clarifying that he never suggested any such amendment based on religious grounds. The Congress leadership has rallied behind Shivakumar, emphasizing that the reservation policy is a continuation of existing affirmative action programs designed to uplift marginalized communities.
Congress General Secretary, Jairam Ramesh, released a detailed timeline of past legislation concerning reservations in Karnataka to counter what he termed as "fabricated narratives" propagated by the BJP. Ramesh argued that the recent amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act must be understood within the context of a broader framework of policies aimed at addressing the severe socio-economic disadvantages faced by certain communities.
Ramesh provided a comprehensive historical overview of reservation policies in Karnataka, tracing the evolution of these measures. He highlighted that reservations in civil works contracts have been in effect for nearly a decade. In 2015, a bill was introduced in the Karnataka Assembly to provide a 24% reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in civil works contracts valued up to ₹50 lakh. This bill was implemented in 2017 and subsequently upheld by the Karnataka High Court. The financial cap for SC/ST reservation was later raised to ₹1 crore in July 2023.
Furthermore, in June 2024, the scope of reservations was broadened to include Other Backward Class (OBC) contractors. This amendment allocated a 4% reservation to OBC contractors from Category I (Most Backward) and 15% to Category IIA (Relatively Most Backward, including Buddhists). In March 2025, the cap for reservation in civil works contracts was further increased to ₹2 crore, with specific allocations for SC/STs (24%), OBC Category I (4%), and OBC Category IIA (15%), and OBC Category IIB (4%), under which some Muslim communities are classified.
Ramesh emphasized that the categorization of backward classes in Karnataka, which includes the listing of certain Muslim communities under Category IIB, was established in 1994 based on a comprehensive survey of educational and socio-economic backwardness. He reiterated that the reservation policy is not based on religion but solely on socio-economic disadvantage, and this principle has been consistently applied across successive governments in the state, irrespective of party affiliation. This clarification aims to dispel the BJP’s claims and underscore the Congress party’s commitment to inclusive development and social justice. The Congress party’s detailed response and the chronological evidence presented aim to counter the BJP’s narrative and reaffirm the government’s commitment to addressing socio-economic disparities. The continuing debate on reservations in Karnataka highlights the complex interplay of social justice, political maneuvering, and identity politics in India.