Muslim Reservation Row: Backward Class Commission To Summon Karnataka Chief Secretary Over Blanket Categorisation

A day after the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) slammed Karnataka's Congress government, it now plans to summon the state's chief secretary over categorisation of the entire Muslim community as a backward caste.

"All castes/communities of the Muslim religion in Karnataka are considered socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and are categorised as Muslim Caste separately under Category IIB in the State List of Backward Classes," NCBC chairperson Hansraj Ahir said.

"This classification enables them to receive reservation in educational institution admissions and in appointments to posts and vacancies in the services of the State, as per Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution of India," Ahir added.

The NCBC said the blanket categorisation of Muslims as a backward caste undermines the principles of social justice, particularly for the marginalised Muslim castes and communities identified as socially and educationally backward.

It noted that the religion-based reservation affects and works against ethics of social justice for categorically downtrodden Muslim castes/communities and identified socially and educationally backward Muslim castes/communities.

The summoning of the chief secretary was planned after receiving "unsatisfactory" response from the Karnataka government. There are around 13 per cent Muslims in the state according to the 2011 Census.