The Karnataka government’s decision to approve a 4% reservation for Muslim contractors has sparked sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with party leader Amit Malviya calling it “unconstitutional” and accusing Congress of engaging in appeasement politics.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Malviya said, “The Congress government in Karnataka focuses its entire attention on just two things—corruption and appeasement politics.”
He further argued that India’s Constitution does not allow schemes or benefits based solely on religion. “The decisions being made by the Congress government in Karnataka in favor of a particular religious community are completely unconstitutional. Congress is the New Muslim League,” he added.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also criticized the move, stating, “Some political parties do politics of appeasement. But PM Modi emphasizes gratification instead of appeasement.”
The controversy arose after the Karnataka Cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, granting a 4% quota in government tenders to Muslim contractors. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday. Official sources stated that the amendment would be tabled in the ongoing Assembly session, likely on Monday.
The reservation falls under Category-II B, a classification for Muslims, and applies to the procurement of goods and services by government departments, corporations, and institutions for contracts up to ₹1 crore.
Earlier, on March 7, CM Siddaramaiah announced the provision while presenting the Karnataka government’s budget, confirming that Muslims would now receive reservations under Category-II B in public works contracts.
The move has reignited the debate over religion-based reservations, with the BJP accusing Congress of divisive politics and appeasement while the Karnataka government defends it as an effort to ensure equitable opportunities.
