Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly defended his government’s decision to provide 4 per cent quota for Muslims in public contracts, saying giving strength to anyone who are economically and socially weak is the mission and commitment of the Congress party.
He was speaking at an Ambedkar Jayanti event in Bengaluru.
The CM’s defence came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while speaking at an event in Haryana’s Hisar, stated that there cannot be reservation based on religion.
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"To give strength to Dalits, backward classes and minorities, economically and socially, we have given reservation in contracts. First I did it (for contracts) up to Rs 50 lakh, then increased it to Rs 1 crore. Now we have made it up to Rs 2 crore -- for OBC Category 1, 2A , and also 2B which is Muslims. They (BJP) made it a big issue alleging appeasement," Siddaramaiah said.
Karnataka legislature passed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2025 last month. The bill reserves for Muslims 4 per cent of contracts in (civil) works valued up to Rs 2 crore, and goods/services procurement contracts up to Rs 1 crore. The bill now requires the Governor's assent for it to become Act.
"Do Muslims have strength economically and socially? Are they educated? Are they economically capable? Then why shouldn't it be done?,” the chief minister asked.
Siddaramaiah said he was labelled as “anti-upper class” and asserted that he was not opposed to any community.
“Standing in support of those who have been deprived of opportunities, those who haven't got justice, is the teaching of our Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar," he said.
