Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah promising higher budget allocation to minorities has sparked a controversy with the opposition BJP accusing the CM of “minority appeasement”. Earlier this week, Siddaramaiah who was addressing a convention of Muslim religious leaders at Hubballi, had announced he would increase the allocation to minorities welfare department from the existing Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore.
Also, the CM’s statement sparked a row as the opposition parties demanded to know how the chief minister could promise such huge funds at a private event when the Legislature was in session (ongoing winter session in Belagavi).
“In fact, I intend to increase the allocation to the minorities department every year and will spend nothing less than Rs 10,000 crore. I will ensure that the minorities get a share in the wealth of this country. I will ensure no injustice is done to you. I will give you protection just like I would protect the people belonging to every religion and caste,” Siddaramaiah had said, while addressing the gathering of Muslim clerics.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok alleged that Siddaramaiah had celebrated Tipu Jayanti and introduced Shaadi Bhagya (marriage incentive for Muslim girls) in the past and people had rejected him and his party in the elections. “This time again, he has set out to appease the Muslims for votes. His minister Zameer Ahmed Khan commented that Congress had installed a Muslim speaker and ensured that BJP MLAs or Hindu MLAs bow down before him. Siddaramaiah should wake up and stop imposing Tipu culture in the state,” said Ashok.
Former chief minister and JDS state president H.D. Kumaraswamy asked the CM to “stop appeasement” of a particular community.
“Let the CM release the funds already allocated in the current budget. As a chief minister he must focus on the overall development of the state and welfare of every citizen. This government is not here only to appease a certain community,” added Kumaraswamy.
The saffron party was also quick to draw a parallel between Dr Manmohan Singh’s speech on December 9, 2006, where he had said the Muslims had the “first claim” on the country’s resources. In his speech Singh had said, “We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources."
BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said Muslims had been part of India since the beginning. “They were not born today as Siddaramaiah seems to believe. Every government has given them justice. No government left them on the streets. But Siddaramaiah is playing communal politics for the sake of votes. Muslims are our people. But Congress is misleading the community by playing votebank politics,” said Narayanaswamy.
Former chief minister Basavara Bomai took to X and said, “The state already has departments for minorities like the Wakf Board, Minority Commission and Minority Corporation which are getting funds for various programs. The intention of all the subsequent governments has been to educate the comunity and make them self reliant. But CM's statement is highly condemnable as fund reserved for the development of the SC/ST has been diverted to the guarantee schemes, which is injustice done to the oppressed communities. Siddaramaiah promising more grants for Muslims is nothing but appeasement politics. This would push the state to bankruptcy and also create social divide.”
Former minister and Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar asked who had approved the grants and how could the CM promise the minorities huge grants outside the Assembly when the Legislature was in session.
“Don't forget the farmers. This government will not survive the farmers' curse. Why are you busy appeasing the minorities? You have crores to give Muslims but none for the farmers who are in distress due to drought,” taunted Ashok.
Rushing in to defend the chief minister RDPR minister Priyank Kharge said every penny would be released only after it was approved in the budget and in the House.
