Karnataka CM defends 4% Muslim reservation,slams PM Modi

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim that the Congress had “transferred” the reservation quota from backward classes to Muslims is a “blatant lie”.He also defended 4 per cent reservation for Muslims under the backward classes category in Karnataka.“It stems from ignorance but also indicative of his desperation born from a fear of defeat. No leader in the history of our country has ever demeaned the office of the prime minister to such a low level,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.Siddaramaiah defended the longstanding inclusion of Muslims in the 2B category, citing reports from Backward Classes Commissions dating back to 1974.Siddaramaiah highlighted that the reservation has been in place for three decades and was not challenged by previous BJP governments in the state or the Narendra Modi-led Union Government. He also mentioned the Supreme Court's stay on a previous BJP government's decision to revoke the 4% quota, emphasizing that important details seemed to elude the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister @narendramodi's claim that the Congress has transferred the reservation quota from backward classes and Dalits to Muslims is a blatant lie.

It stems from ignorance but also indicative of his desperation born from a fear of defeat. No leader in the history of our… pic.twitter.com/626QZpRVJ0

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 24, 2024

The CM questioned Modi's allegations, demanding evidence or an apology. He challenged claims that Congress intended to reallocate reservations from backward classes and SC/STs to Muslims, asking for any official government documents supporting such assertions.Siddaramaiah also called out JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda to clarify his stance on Muslim reservations, and he questioned Modi about the status of increasing SC/ST reservations, a decision initiated by the previous BJP government.

(Dr Mysi Patil, State Corresopondent)