BJP Spreading Misinformation on Reservation Issue in Karnataka: Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress party on Monday accused the BJP of spreading misinformation regarding reservations for Muslims in government contracts in Karnataka. Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh presented a 30-year timeline to highlight that the classification of backward classes in Karnataka was done in 1994 and that this reservation is not based on religion.

Jairam Ramesh posted on 'X', "In 2015, a bill was introduced in the Karnataka Assembly to provide 24 percent reservation for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) in civil works contracts up to Rs 50 lakh. This bill was enacted into law in 2017. On December 20, 2019, the Karnataka High Court upheld the reservation in civil works contracts."

The Congress leader stated that in July 2023, the limit for SC/ST reservations in civil works contracts was increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

He added, "In June 2024, this reservation in civil works contracts was extended to Category 1, i.e., the most backward (4 percent), and Category 1A, i.e., relatively backward (including Buddhists), OBC contractors."

Ramesh further said, "In March 2025, the reservation limit for civil works contracts was increased to Rs 2 crore, applicable as follows: 24 percent for SC/ST, 4 percent for OBC contractors under Category 1, 15 percent for OBC contractors under Category 2A, and 4 percent for OBC contractors under Category 2B."

Ramesh explained that the classification of backward classes in Karnataka was done in September 1994, under which Muslim communities were listed under Category 2B after a survey of educational and socio-economic backwardness.

He emphasized, "The reservation is not based on religion but on backwardness. This has continued under Congress, BJP, and JD(S) governments in the state."

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