BJP flags ‘misuse’ of OBC quota for Muslims; opposition walks out
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New Delhi: BJP MP K. Laxman on Monday raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha over what he termed the misuse of Other Backwards Classes reservation by certain states through the inclusion of Muslims in the category, urging the Centre to undertake a comprehensive review. His remarks triggered protests from the Opposition, culminating in a walkout.
Leader of the House J. P. Nadda also criticised the Opposition, accusing it of engaging in appeasement and vote bank politics centred on Muslims. He condemned the walkout, calling it inappropriate and reflective of a disregard for parliamentary norms.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Laxman alleged that states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Telangana have included Muslims in the OBC category to extend reservation benefits. He argued that the Constitution does not permit reservations on religious grounds and cited B. R. Ambedkar as having clearly opposed such provisions.
“Reservations meant for socially and educationally backward classes are being misused in the name of religion, which goes against the constitutional mandate,” Laxman said, amid disruptions by Opposition members.
Detailing his claims, he said that in Karnataka, the entire Muslim community is treated as a single caste and provided a 4 per cent reservation without a specific OBC list. In West Bengal, he alleged that around 97 per cent of Muslim communities have been included in the OBC category, impacting the share of other backward groups.
In Tamil Nadu, he said, Muslim groups in the OBC list account for nearly 95 per cent of the Muslim population and receive 3.5 per cent reservation under the backward class category. In Kerala, he claimed that Muslims are listed as a caste within the OBC category, with reservation increased from 3 per cent to 12 per cent.
Referring to Telangana, Laxman said that apart from Muslims included in the OBC list, the Congress government had extended an additional 4 per cent reservation exclusively for Muslims, which he noted had been struck down by the High Court.
Calling these practices “vote bank politics”, Laxman also alleged that in Hyderabad municipal elections, Muslims were benefiting from reservations earmarked for 50 per cent OBCs.
He urged the government to review religion-based reservations, stating that policies should focus on social and educational backwardness rather than religious identity to preserve the principles of social justice.
Responding later, Nadda accused the Congress and other parties in the Opposition INDIA alliance of undermining democracy, parliamentary decorum and constitutional values. He alleged that their actions during Laxman’s speech demonstrated a lack of faith in parliamentary procedures and traditions.
“They have consistently pursued appeasement and vote bank politics,” Nadda said, adding that the Constitution does not provide for reservation for Muslims under the OBC category. He also referred to judicial interventions, including rulings by High Courts, which he said had struck down such provisions.
Condemning the Opposition’s walkout, Nadda said it reflected an attempt to disrupt proceedings and divide society for political gains.
With PTI inputs