CM: Backward families of all religions eligible for quota

BELAGAVI (GOKAK) : Countering Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s pitch that reservation cannot be based on religion and is only meant for Hindus, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said whether “Christian, Muslim Jain or Sikh, all families that are socially and educationally backward” are eligible for reservation.

At rallies in Karnataka last week, Modi had said Congress plans to “take away quotas of OBCs , SCs and STs and give it to Muslims”. However, at a rally in Gokak on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution discuss reservation for “socially and educationally backward” but do not specify any religion or caste for OBC reservation.

He reiterated that the decision to extend 4% reservation for Muslims in Karnataka was implemented in 1994 by then chief minister HD Deve Gowda of JD(S) and was based on the Chinnappa Reddy Commission report.

“But in 2023, the Basavaraj Bommai govt cancelled this reservation and distributed it among Lingayats and Vokkaligas, 2% each,” Siddaramaiah said. “When the issue reached the Supreme Court, the Bommai government submitted an affidavit promising that it would withdraw its decision and maintain status quo.”

Creating confusion | Siddaramaiah accused Modi of stooping to a “low level” and of trying to create confusion among voters with “lies” about reservation.

“Since they have no achievements to show, they are spreading lies and sensationalising issues based on false propaganda,” he said. “In the last elections, BJP came to power on the basis of issues like Article 370 abrogation, Pulwama attack, etc. This time, Modi is lying out of desperation.”

He said Congress believes in social justice and works as per the Constitution.
He said Modi is frustrated after preliminary surveys suggest the BJP-led NDA alliance will only secure “less than 210 seats” in these elections. “Nobody believes him any more,” he said.

He also accused Modi of falsely trying to take credit for the Food Security Act, which was introduced by the Manmohan Singh govt, ensuring the right to food for every citizen. He said the Manmohan Singh govt also introduced the Right to Information Act.

Siddaramaiah lambasted Modi for failing to fulfil promises he made to people of the country in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections and for not trying to resolve problems of the common people.