Karnataka scraps 4% OBC reservation of Muslims

Bengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet decided to abolish the 4 per cent reservation for Muslims under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. The Cabinet also decided to equally distribute the same to the dominant Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities in the state in its fresh move while the Assembly elections in the state are around the corner, The Deccan Herald reported.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that Muslims would be moved to the 10 per cent EWS quota pool.

Currently, Vokkaligas have 4 per cent and Lingayats 5 per cent reservations. The new change will raise Vokkaligas to 6 per cent and Lingayats 7, under Categories 2(C) and 2(D), respectively.

According to Deccan Herald BJP aims to appease the two politically powerful communities in view of the polls.

CM Bommai reasoned that the Constitution has no provision for the reservation to religious minorities, and also, Andhra Pradesh has struck down such reservations. He claims that Ambedkar had clarified that reservation is for castes.

He further said sooner or later, someone will challenge the reservation to religious minorities, and that is why his government has taken proactive action. He added that the poor from all communities that are not SC, ST or OBC would come under EWS.

Bommai tried to lit-up saying that if one looks at the new change optimistically, the Muslims will come under a large pool of 10 per cent reservations. However, the reality is the 10 per cent EWS quota carters the Brahmins, Jains, Arya Vysyas, Nagarthas and Mudaliars also.