The decision by the BJP-led Karnataka government to scrap the reservation for Muslims under Category 2B in the OBC list has been met with criticism by the Congress. The Congress has declared that, if it comes to power in the state after the upcoming Assembly elections, it will restore the quota for the minority community. It is important to note that the Cabinet meeting on Friday also decided to split the four percent reservation equally between the Vokkaliga and Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities, which has been welcomed by these politically influential groups.
However, the government’s move to shift Muslims into the 10 percent Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) pool has raised concerns among some who feel that this may not adequately address the issue of representation and access to opportunities for the Muslim community. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the upcoming elections in Karnataka and whether the issue of reservation for Muslims will continue to be a point of contention between the different political parties. Regardless of the outcome, it is important for governments to prioritize policies that promote social justice and equity, and ensure that all communities have equal access to opportunities and resources.
It appears that D K Shivakumar, the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), has criticized a step taken by the government, which he believes is unconstitutional. He has stated that the government’s approach to the distribution of reservations is flawed and that it is not a property but a right of minorities. Mr Shivakumar has also expressed his opposition to the scrapping of four percent of reservations for minorities and giving it to major communities. He has claimed that the Vokkaligas and Veerashaiva-Lingayats communities are rejecting this offer in its entirety.
