Karnataka Budget Proposes Muslim Reservation In Government Contracts, Allocates Rs 150 Crore For Waqf Property; BJP Calls It 'Halal'

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that 4 per cent of public works contracts will be reserved for Muslims under Category-II B, a decision unveiled in the state Budget on Friday (7 March), ANI reported.

This move in government procurement, applies to contracts up to Rs 1 crore across various departments, corporations, and institutions.

The decision has triggered sharp criticism from the BJP, with party leaders accusing the Congress government of vote-bank politics and favouring the Muslim community at the expense of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes communities.

BJP leader Amit Malviya strongly opposed the reservation, arguing that it undermines the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs as outlined by Dr B R Ambedkar in the Indian Constitution.

He asserted that providing reservations based on religion is unconstitutional and accused Congress of using public funds for appeasement politics.

BJP Karnataka took to social media, branding the Budget a "Halal Budget” and listing provisions aimed at the Muslim community:

• Rs 50,000 assistance for Muslim simple marriages

• Rs 150 crore for Waqf property and graveyard infrastructure

• Rs 50 lakh for Muslim cultural programmes

• New ITI colleges in Muslim-dominated areas

• 50 per cent fee concession for Muslim students under KEA

• Residential PU college for Muslim girls in Ullal

• Expansion of Bengaluru’s Haj Bhavan

• Self-defence training for Muslim girl students

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari went further, calling the Budget a "modern Muslim League Budget", comparing the Congress-led Karnataka government’s policies to Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s administration in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Ajay Singh praised the Budget, calling it "historical” with an impressive Rs 4,09,549 crore allocation—crossing the Rs 4 lakh crore mark for the first time.

Singh emphasised that all guarantees are being implemented, ensuring growth and development. He highlighted the government’s focus on infrastructure, particularly roads.

CM Siddaramaiah defended the financial plan, stating that the state had maintained its fiscal deficit for 2025-26.

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