Synopsis
The BJP has announced protests within the Karnataka legislature and statewide against the government's decision to allocate a 4% quota for Muslims in government tenders, arguing it undermines the principles of the Constitution and the rights of Dalits.Key Takeaways
- BJP protests against 4% Muslim quota in government tenders.
- Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka criticizes the quota as unconstitutional.
- The party emphasizes the need for reservations to uplift Dalits.
- BJP plans to oppose the introduction of the Bill in the legislature.
- Concerns raised about minority appeasement in Karnataka.
Bengaluru, March 17 (NationPress) The BJP declared on Monday that it will hold protests both within the legislature and throughout the state, opposing the Karnataka government's choice to allocate a 4 per cent quota to Muslims in government tenders.
The party has also stated its intention to prevent the Congress-led Karnataka government from implementing this Muslim quota in tenders.
During a press briefing at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, made this announcement.
He expressed, "Muslim appeasement is occurring on a significant scale in the state. Reservations are intended to uplift Dalits. The Constitution does not permit reservations for all communities."
He further accused the government of undermining the constitutional rights of Dalits by allocating benefits to Muslims purely for electoral advantages.
"The Congress-led government has breached the Constitution by granting a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims. There is no legal basis for religion-based reservations in our Constitution," Ashoka stated.
Criticizing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ashoka remarked, "He dons a skull cap, initiated Tipu Jayanti, and allocated ₹10,000 crore for Mullahs in this year's budget. Now, he is conceding to all their demands by providing 4 per cent reservation to Muslims. This is regrettable. We will protest both inside the legislature and across the state."
"BJP’s national leaders have already confirmed that this 4 per cent reservation for Muslims is unconstitutional," he reaffirmed.
The State BJP President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, indicated in Bengaluru that the Karnataka government has not only opted to grant a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government tenders but has also ratified it in a Cabinet meeting and is poised to present a Bill concerning this in the legislature.
"The BJP will vehemently oppose this Bill," he declared.
"Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar challenged us, saying that if we have the capability, we should appoint Muslims as MLCs and Rajya Sabha members. I want to remind him that it was the BJP that appointed the late Dr. Abdul Kalam as President. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office, Najma Heptulla was also designated as a Governor.
“Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Arif Mohammad Khan were likewise appointed as Governors. Ustad Bismillah Khan was awarded the Bharat Ratna, not by the Congress, but during Modi's administration," Vijayendra mentioned.
He further questioned, "A former Dalit Congress MLA, Akhanda Srinivas Murthy’s house was set ablaze by Muslim assailants. If the Congress is willing to go to great lengths to appease Muslims, what about the impoverished individuals from other communities?"
"If you are granting a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, have the underprivileged among Hindus committed a transgression that they are overlooked? The BJP’s position is unequivocal. When the Bill is presented in the legislature today, the BJP will protest both inside and outside the House. We will not permit its enforcement," he asserted.
