Karnataka Governor Sends 4% Muslim Quota Bill to President for Approval

Swift Summary:

• Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has referred a bill proposing 4% reservation for Muslims in government civic contracts worth up to Rs 1 crore to teh President for assent.
• The bill, titled Karnataka Transparency in Public procurement (Amendment) bill, 2025, was passed by the legislature last month.
• Raj Bhavan cited potential constitutional hurdles and Supreme court judgments against religion-based reservations as grounds for referral.
• BJP opposed the bill, arguing that it violates Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), and 16 (equal possibility) of the constitution.
• karnataka’s Congress government has decided to study legal provisions and governor’s recommendations before further action.
• prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress during a rally in Haryana,saying such measures infringe on SC/ST/OBC rights.
• the controversy comes amid discussions on leaked caste census data from karnataka showing Muslims constitute 12.6% of the population with suggestions to double OBC quota for them to 8%.
• A special cabinet meeting is scheduled to address caste census data as debates over quotas continue.

!Karnataka governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The decision of Karnataka Governor Thaawar chand Gehlot underscores constitutional complexities surrounding religion-based reservations. His referral highlights existing judicial precedent that deems such quotas unconstitutional due to potential conflict with principles of equality under Articles 14, 15, and 16. The BJP’s objection aligns with this perspective but raises questions about broader interpretations concerning affirmative actions benefiting specific communities.

Prime Minister Modi’s criticism points toward concerns over balancing community-specific rights within established frameworks for SC/ST/OBC groups. Simultaneously occurring, leaked caste census data bring new dimensions into reservation debates by exposing demographic realities; though, proposals like doubling OBC quota may require deeper scrutiny under constitutional law.the legal outcome perhaps sets an vital precedent regarding the scope of reservations grounded on religious identity versus social or economic rationale. The ongoing cabinet deliberations will likely shape future trajectories that intertwine governance priorities with India’s democratic ideals.

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