Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has vehemently dismissed media reports claiming that the state government is considering a proposal to provide Muslim reservation in jobs and contracts. Calling the reports “another new lie,” the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) issued a statement clarifying that while there have been demands for reservation, no such proposal is currently before the government.
The clarification comes amidst an ongoing political controversy surrounding the issue of Muslim reservations in Karnataka, which has sparked intense debate among politicians, media, and the public.
The CMO issued a statement on Tuesday in response to the media reports, saying, “Reports have been published in some media that a proposal to give reservations to Muslims in jobs is before the government. It is true that there has been a demand for reservations. However, it has been clarified that there is no proposal before the government in this regard.”
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The statement aimed to quell the growing rumors and political speculation about the possibility of a Muslim reservation quota. According to the CMO, while the demand for a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts has been raised, it is not an active proposal being reviewed by the government at this point.
The controversy began earlier this year when leaders from the Muslim community, including Housing and Wakf Minister BJ Zameer Ahmed Khan, along with other Muslim legislators, submitted a letter to the state government on August 24 requesting a 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts. The proposed reservation was intended to be categorized under 2B, which would have increased the total reservation for government contracts in the state to 47%.
Currently, Karnataka reserves 43% of government contracts for specific social groups: 24% for SC/ST contractors, 4% for category-1 OBCs, and 15% for category-2A OBCs. The proposed addition of 4% for Muslims would have pushed the total reservation percentage beyond the existing cap, which has raised concerns among opposition leaders and the public.
Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, has been vocal in accusing the Siddaramaiah government of misleading the public. He claims that despite the Chief Minister’s office denying any current proposal, there is substantial evidence to suggest otherwise.
Ashoka alleged that Siddaramaiah’s political secretary, Naseer Ahmed, along with other Muslim leaders and legislators, had submitted a letter requesting the 4% reservation for Muslims in contracts.
Furthermore, Ashoka pointed out that Siddaramaiah had allegedly directed the finance department to review the proposal on the same day the request was submitted, even reportedly supporting an amendment to the Karnataka Public Procurement Transparency (KTPP) Act that would allow such reservations.
“Despite all these letters and approvals, you are lying and claiming that there is no proposal for Muslim reservation in contracts before the government. Do you have any sense of integrity or morality?” Ashoka said in a public statement, accusing the Chief Minister of trying to cover up the proposal.
The issue of reservations for Muslims in Karnataka has been a contentious one for years, with political parties, particularly those from the opposition, often accusing the government of neglecting the community’s welfare. Meanwhile, the ruling Congress party, led by Siddaramaiah, has faced pressure to accommodate various communities within the state, especially following the recent calls for social justice by several groups.
Muslim reservation has remained a sensitive issue, and while some groups demand better representation and benefits, others caution against expanding reservation quotas in a state already grappling with complex social and economic inequalities.
As the political debate over Muslim reservations continues to intensify, Siddaramaiah’s government faces increasing pressure from both within and outside the state to clarify its stance on the issue.
While the Chief Minister has dismissed the reports as baseless, opposition leaders remain unconvinced, arguing that there is more to the story than the government is willing to admit. The matter is likely to remain a focal point in Karnataka’s political discourse, especially as the state gears up for upcoming elections.
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