Karnataka Cabinet Approves 5% Hike in Minority Housing Quota; BJP Opposes Move

State government enhanced minority housing quota

On Thursday, the state cabinet made a significant decision to raise the quota of minority communities by 5% in government housing projects. This decision was made at a time when a bill providing 4% reservation to the Muslim community in government civil tenders was passed just a few weeks earlier.

In the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chaired cabinet meeting, it was unanimously decided that this extra quota will be given in all housing schemes executed by the Housing Department in urban and rural sectors. Previously the quota limit was 10%, which would be raised to 15%.

Opposition severely criticized the decision

The BJP has strongly protested the move. Union Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi, BJP state president BY Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashok accused the government move of reducing the percentage of SC/ST and OBC categories.

Prahlad Joshi stated that this extra reservation would decrease the share of these communities, and the BJP would chalk out an additional plan on this. Vijayendra charged the government with religious appeasement politics and stated that reservation based on religion was against the Constitution. He cautioned that the BJP would resist the move.

Government’s stand: Step towards social justice

The country government justified its movement, mentioning that it changed into on the basis of the directive of the important authorities to the effect that minority groups were tormented by a large shortage of living places.

According to a assertion released through the Chief Minister’s Office, the choice was made in the satisfactory hobbies of homeless minorities and to obtain social justice.

The government is also under pressure within the party

The move is made against the backdrop of Congress government being the target of Muslim community leaders in Dakshina Kannada district. In the wake of communal clashes in the district, some Muslim leaders had quit the party alleging the government was not giving sufficient security.

Even after the bill for giving 4% reservation to Muslims in government civil contracts was passed in the assembly in March, there was tremendous pressure on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Muslim MLAs and leaders to initiate concrete action for the community.

Governor sent the bill for President’s assent

Yet, the invoice isn’t always given a complete sanction yet. The bill has been forwarded for President’s assent by means of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, since the BJP had requested him to show it down.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi additionally termed this invoice as “unconstitutional” in a meeting in Haryana and asserted that the Constitution does now not allow reservation at the grounds of religion. He accused that the Congress government of Karnataka has accorded priority to the Muslim network by way of eliminating the rights of SC, ST and OBC groups.

Demands and political pressure of Muslim MLAs

As per reports, Siddaramaiah is always in pressure from Muslim MLAs and party leaders. They claim that the Muslim vote bank was crucial in assisting the Congress in winning 136 seats in the 2023 assembly elections.

They also grumble that there are just two Muslim ministers in the whole cabinet, that too with light ministries. The community must, therefore, receive greater representation within the government.

In addition to this, the win of Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan from Shiggaon constituency (which was previously occupied by former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai) has also boosted Muslim leaders’ confidence and demands even further.

Conclusion: What next?

This government move has ignited the political heat. Congress is attempting to consolidate its Muslim vote bank, whereas the BJP is terming it against constitutional and social balance.

In the future, this matter can become a major controversy of the state’s politics, where legal, social and political wars can be witnessed.

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