RSS opposes Karnataka's Muslim reservation, calls it unconstitutional

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has criticized the Karnataka government's decision to reserve 4% of government contracts for Muslims. The RSS claims that this decision violates the Indian Constitution. In a recent statement, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale argued that religion-based reservations are not supported by the Constitution written by B.R. Ambedkar, its chief architect. Hosabale made these remarks during an event in Bengaluru while inaugurating a key decision-making body of the RSS. He stated that anyone supporting such reservations is acting against Ambedkar's vision for the Constitution. He also noted that past efforts to create similar reservations in states like Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra were rejected by the courts. The Karnataka Assembly recently passed a bill to implement the 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts. This bill allows for a 4% quota for contracts related to civil works under certain financial limits. The Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, included this reservation in the 2025-26 Budget, which was presented on March 7. Opposition leaders, especially from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have condemned the bill, calling it unconstitutional and alleging that it reflects “appeasement politics.” They argue that such a reservation infringes on the rights of other marginalized groups, including those from scheduled castes and tribes. The debate over the bill led to significant unrest in the Karnataka Assembly, with BJP members protesting and facing suspensions.