Karnataka Govt classifies Muslims as backward caste for reservation; NCBC slams it as assault on social justice

The decision by the Congress-led government in Karnataka to include the entire Muslim community in the socially and educationally backward class category has sparked controversy and raised concerns among other backward classes (OBCs) in the state.

Under Category IIB of the State List of Backward Classes, the Karnataka Backward Classes Welfare Department has categorised all castes and communities within the Muslim religion as socially and educationally backward. This move effectively grants the Muslim community access to benefits and privileges previously reserved for OBCs.

According to data from the Karnataka Backward Classes Welfare Department, all castes and communities within the Muslim religion have been classified as socially and educationally backward classes under Category IIB in the State List of Backward Classes. Under Category II-B, all Muslims of Karnataka state have been considered as OBC: National Commission for Backward Classes

In a statement issued on April 22, the NCBC condemned the move, highlighting the implications for social justice. The Commission, which conducted a field visit last year to examine the state’s reservation policy for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in educational institutions and government jobs, emphasised the need for a more nuanced approach.

The NCBC noted that while Karnataka provides 32 per cent reservation to backward classes in local body elections, including Muslims, there is a necessity for considering the diversity within these communities. The Commission raised concerns about the impact of such broad reservations on the framework of social justice, particularly in the context of local body polls.

According to the 2011 Census, Muslims constitute 12.92 per cent of the population in Karnataka. The move to extend reservation benefits to the entire Muslim community has raised questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the state’s reservation policy.

Critics, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have voiced opposition to this decision, alleging that it represents a form of wealth redistribution. They argue that by extending benefits to the Muslim community, the Congress government is effectively diverting resources away from OBCs, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Modi has long accused the Congress party of attempting to reallocate benefits meant for disadvantaged communities and redistribute them to Muslims. This move, according to him, undermines the principles of social justice and equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

The controversy surrounding the inclusion of the entire Muslim community in the backward classes category highlights broader debates about reservation policies and affirmative action in India. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, has advocated for amending the Constitution to increase the reservation quota from 50 per cent to 73 per cent, a move seen as an attempt to address the socio-economic disparities faced by marginalized communities.