BJP protests Muslim contract reservations in Shivamogga

BJP leaders in Shivamogga district held a protest on Monday. They oppose the Congress government's decision to give Muslim communities a reservation in contracts. They also protested against the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs from the Assembly. The protest was led by former Minister Araga Jnanendra, along with MLA S.N. Channabasappa and other BJP officials. Protesters marched from A.A. Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office. During the protest, they burned an effigy of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and chanted slogans against the Congress government. Mr. Jnanendra claimed that the Congress is appeasing Muslims for political gain. He criticized the government for making special budget allocations for the minority community and introducing 4% reservation in contracts. He urged local intellectuals and pro-Kannada activists to fight against this appeasement politics. Mr. Channabasappa added that the Congress is misusing funds that should support Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He claimed the government is closing nine State universities in favor of Muslim welfare. He warned that the people in the state would respond to the Congress’s actions in the future. He also criticized the speaker of the Assembly for suspending BJP MLAs, alleging that the speaker is biased toward the Congress party.