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States » SouthPosted at: Apr 14 2025 6:00PM


Quota row heats up in Karnataka; BJP, Cong spar

Bengaluru, Apr 14 (UNI) The political slugfest over reservation for Muslim contractors in Karnataka intensified on Monday, with senior BJP leader and MLC CT Ravi questioning the minority status of Muslims, and Congress Minister Priyank Kharge hitting back sharply, accusing the BJP of distorting constitutional provisions for political gain.
Addressing reporters in Chikkamagaluru, Ravi said, "How can Muslims be considered a minority when they are the second-largest population in Karnataka?" He claimed there are 56 castes within the Muslim community and alleged that social hierarchies, including untouchability, exist within it. "Even within Muslims, those claiming descent from the Prophet do not give their daughters to Pasmanda Muslims," the BJP leader said.
Ravi insisted that the caste census is under the purview of the Centre, not the state, and slammed the Congress for not officially releasing its caste survey report. "We oppose the policy of treating all Muslims as one group while dividing Hindus," he added.
He also criticised the Congress for "spreading false propaganda" on the Waqf Amendment Act. "They claim even temple and farmers' lands. Should they now claim the Vidhana Soudha and Supreme Court too?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Priyank alleged that the BJP and its leaders, including CT Ravi, neither understand the Constitution nor want to follow it sincerely. "Any commission that seeks to empower SCs, STs, Adivasis or other backward communities is opposed by the BJP," he charged.
Taking a dig at the Centre on Ambedkar Jayanti, the Minister challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to emulate the Karnataka government by allocating budgetary resources based on the population of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. "Will the Centre do that?" he asked.
Reiterating the Congress party's position, Priyank said his party was firm on the need for a caste census, and questioned the BJP’s reluctance on the issue. He further alleged that the BJP government was being guided not by the Constitution or its manifesto, but by the RSS.
"They are stooges of the RSS. There is no concept of equality in the ideology of the RSS. Entire sections of society are excluded from their thought process," he said.
The war of words comes amid heightened political activity in the state, with the Congress defending its policies aimed at minority and backward communities, and the BJP accusing the ruling party of appeasement.
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Tags: #Quota row heats up in Karnataka; BJP# Cong spar
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