The BJP government in the Indian state of Karnataka, just before the announcement of the assembly elections, canceled the 4% reservation for Muslims and divided it 2-2% between the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities of Karnataka.

BJP says that giving reservation on the basis of religion is against the constitution, so this reservation was removed.

In March 2023, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said after this decision, "There is no provision for religious reservation in the Constitution. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar himself had said that reservation should be decided on the basis of caste."

In Karnataka, in 1994, under the recommendations of the Mandal Commission, certain castes of Muslims were included as a sub-category in the category of Other Backward Castes (OBCs).

Under this, it was talked about giving four percent reservation to Muslims on the basis of 'social and educational backwardness'.

The Chinappa Reddy Commission was constituted by the Government of Karnataka in the year 1986. This commission was given the task to prepare a list of castes and communities eligible for reservation in the state.

It was on the advice of the Chinappa Reddy Commission that it was decided to give four percent reservation to Muslims out of the 32 percent quota for OBCs.

In the OBC category itself, provision was made to give 4% and 5% reservation to Vokkaligas and Lingayats respectively. Vokkaligas and Lingayats are very influential communities in Karnataka.

Now in the changed system of reservation in Karnataka, the 4% reservation given to Muslims has ended. However, till May 9, 2023, the Supreme Court of India has restored the status quo.

BJP is raising the issue of Muslim reservation loudly in Karnataka assembly elections to polarize Hindu votes. How successful the BJP is in this will be known only after the results of the Karnataka assembly elections are out!

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