Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly misquoting his remarks on the Constitution, accusing the party of spreading fake news for political gain. He also threatened to file a breach of privilege case against those distorting his words.
Clarifying his stance, Shivakumar insisted that his words had been misinterpreted by the BJP.
“I am a sensible, senior politician, more so than Mr. Nadda. I have been in the Assembly for 36 years. I have basic common sense. I casually mentioned that changes happen based on various judgments. Reservation has been given as per the quota for backward classes. I never said we are going to change the Constitution,” he asserted.
Shivakumar rejected the BJP’s allegations, stating: “Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are twisting my words. We are a national party—it is our party that brought the Constitution to this country.”
Condemning the BJP’s “deliberate misinformation campaign,” Shivakumar announced his intention to take legal action: “I will take a breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me. The BJP always tries to misguide the country… They are peddling fake news.”
The controversy erupted after BJP leaders attacked Shivakumar over his statement at an event on Sunday, where he spoke about a bill providing 4% reservation to minorities and backward classes in public contracts in Karnataka. His remark that the “Constitution will be changing” was widely criticized by the BJP.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an explanation from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in the Rajya Sabha, saying: “This is an extremely serious matter. A senior Congress leader holding a constitutional post has said they are going to change the Constitution to provide reservations to Muslims. We cannot take this lightly—it is an assault on the Constitution of India.”
BJP President JP Nadda also weighed in, emphasizing that “reservation cannot be given based on religion” as per the Constitution drafted under BR Ambedkar’s guidance.
“No one can change the Constitution,” Nadda asserted.
The debate follows the Karnataka state cabinet’s approval of an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to grant 4% reservation in tenders to minority contractors.
With Shivakumar standing firm and BJP escalating its attack, the controversy has intensified the political battle over reservation policies and constitutional amendments ahead of the upcoming elections.
