NEW DELHI: The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) of Karnataka released a statement on Tuesday refuting media claims about potential job reservations for Muslims, calling the reports “yet another lie.” The CMO acknowledged that there have been calls for such reservations but clarified that no official proposal has been presented.
This statement came amid ongoing debate over Muslim reservations in Karnataka. According to news agency ANI, the CMO addressed media speculation about a proposal for Muslim job reservations, stating, “Some media outlets have reported that a proposal to provide job reservations for Muslims is currently with the government.”
The statement continued, “While there have been demands for this reservation, it has been made clear that no proposal exists before the government.”
At a rally in Palamu, Jharkhand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Congress party’s position on Muslim reservations. He claimed, “Congress speaks of reservations, but our constitution does not support reservations based on religion. In Maharashtra, some ‘Ulema’ presented a memorandum requesting 10 percent reservation for Muslims, and Congress expressed willingness to assist them. They aim to grant 10 percent reservation to Muslims by reducing the allocation for OBCs, Dalits, and Tribals.”
Shah cautioned, “I want to send a warning to Rahul Gandhi: as long as the Bharatiya Janata Party is in power, minorities will not receive reservations in this country,” labeling Congress as “anti-OBC.”
Earlier in April, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) had raised concerns about Karnataka’s designation of Muslims as OBCs.
