Karnataka Increases Housing Schemes Quota For Minorities, BJP Calls It ‘Unconstitutional’

Last Updated:June 19, 2025, 16:07 IST

Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the percentage of reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10 to 15 per cent.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. (PTI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday hit out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government over its decision to increase the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state, saying that the move is brazen, blatantly illegal and unconstitutional.

Reservation Increased From 10% to 15%

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the percentage of reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10 to 15 per cent.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said, “Under various housing schemes being implemented by the Housing Department across the state in both urban and rural areas, it has been decided to enhance the reservation for minorities from 10 per cent to 15 per cent."

He said the decision was taken after observing the high number of homeless among minorities in the state.

BJP Reacts

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya slammed the move and said there can be no reservation on the basis of religion

“This is brazen. Blatantly illegal and unconstitutional. There can be no reservation on the basis of religion — the Constitution is unambiguous on this," he said in a post on X.

Malviya further said that the Congress government has been pushing religious quotas to appease its vote bank.

Yet, the Congress government in Karnataka is hell-bent on pushing religious quotas to appease its vote bank. This isn’t governance, it’s dangerous social engineering. Congress is determined to sow the seeds of division, polarise communities, and rip apart the social fabric of Karnataka — all for short-term political gain. Karnataka deserves better," he said in a post on X.

This move follows the government’s proposal to extend quota benefits for Muslims in contract allocations, suggesting a broader push for increased community-specific welfare initiatives.

The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to provide 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts of under Rs 2 crore.

The bill was passed in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on March 21 amidst significant turmoil and opposition from BJP legislators.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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News politics Karnataka Increases Housing Schemes Quota For Minorities, BJP Calls It ‘Unconstitutional’