The BJP has strongly criticised the Karnataka government’s decision to introduce reservations based on religion, terming it unconstitutional and contrary to the vision of Dr BR Ambedkar.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Monday said that the move, allegedly driven by Congress party’s vote-bank politics, goes against Ambedkar’s clear stance against religion-based quotas.
“Dr Ambedkar had vehemently opposed reservations based on religion, calling it a ‘fatal dose’ for the nation. He warned during the Constituent Assembly debates that such a system would divide the country and weaken national unity and integrity,” Surya stated at a press conference here.
Citing historical precedent, Surya pointed out that Ambedkar ensured that reservations were designed to uplift communities facing historical discrimination and social injustice, not to be determined solely by religious identity. He questioned the Congress party’s commitment to Ambedkar’s legacy while allegedly pursuing policies that contradict his principles.
Surya further criticised Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader has repeatedly promoted the idea that minorities have the “first right” over the country’s resources. He argued that this ideology has been reflected in Karnataka’s budget and previous Congress-led governments’ attempts to introduce similar religion-based quotas.
Referring to past legal battles, Surya highlighted that the Andhra Pradesh High Court had struck down a similar reservation policy for Muslims in 2004, and the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court. The West Bengal High Court had also rejected a similar move, reinforcing the BJP’s stand that such reservations are “prima facie illegal.”
Declaring BJP’s opposition to the move, Surya asserted that the party would challenge it in court while also protesting against it inside the Assembly, in Parliament, and across Karnataka. “We will fight this battle at every level until this unconstitutional decision is revoked,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has defended its policy, stating that it is aimed at ensuring equitable opportunities for not only Muslims, but all minority communities.
