States » SouthPosted at: Jun 19 2025 7:13PM


BJP terms as 'unconstitutional' Karnataka govt hiking Muslim quota in housing schemes

Bengaluru, June 19 (UNI) The Karnataka government's decision to allocate 15 per cent reservation for Muslims in housing schemes has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, with senior leaders calling it unconstitutional, illegal and a dangerous experiment in divisive politics.
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Prahlad Joshi termed the move a direct violation of the Supreme Court's repeated rulings against religion-based reservations. "The Supreme Court has made it very clear — reservation based on religion is unconstitutional. Yet, the Congress government has gone ahead with a 15 per cent quota for Muslims in housing schemes. This is anti-constitutional and aimed at appeasement," Joshi told reporters here on Thursday.
He accused the Congress of sacrificing the legitimate rights of OBCs, SCs, STs and poor citizens from the general category to advance its political interests.
"Siddaramaiah and his team, acting on instructions from Rahul Gandhi, had already granted four per cent reservation to Muslims. Now they’ve gone a step further. Such policies will severely affect the entitlements of socially and economically backward communities," Joshi said.
Reinforcing the BJP’s opposition to the move, party IT Cell chief Amit Malviya called the decision "brazen", and warned it could dangerously alter Karnataka’s social fabric.
"This is brazen. Blatantly illegal and unconstitutional. There can be no reservation on the basis of religion — the Constitution is unambiguous on this," Malviya said on social media platform X.
"Yet, the Congress government in Karnataka is hell-bent on pushing religious quotas to appease its vote bank. This isn’t governance, it’s dangerous social engineering," he said, adding, "Congress is determined to sow the seeds of division, polarise communities, and rip apart the social fabric of Karnataka — all for short-term political gain. Karnataka deserves better."
Joshi echoed this sentiment, accusing the Congress of implementing a long-standing appeasement agenda. He said similar attempts were made during the UPA regime to introduce religion-based quotas even in the armed forces and other employment sectors, which were later struck down by the courts.
He also indicated that the BJP would consider taking the matter to court. "We are not only opposing this politically, but also preparing to challenge it legally. After due consultations, we will think about fighting this in the court of law," he added.
The Karnataka government on Thursday approved an increase in the housing quota for Muslims from 10 per cent to 15 per cent under various housing schemes operated by the state’s Department of Housing. The decision will apply to both urban and rural schemes.
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Tags: #BJP terms as 'unconstitutional' Karnataka govt hiking Muslim quota in housing schemes
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