Karnataka’s 4% Muslim quota bill sparks heated Rajya Sabha debate over Constitution
reservation bill to Muslims in public contracts by the Karnataka assembly and the purported remarks of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, that if need be the Congress can amend the Constitution, rocked the Rajya Sabha on Monday with the BJP alleging that religion-based quota was against the Constitution while the main Opposition insisted Sivakumar has not said what was attributed to him.
Soon after the Upper House met for the day, minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju alleged that a Congress leader, holding a Constitutional position, has said his party can change the Constitution to give reservation to Muslims. While Rijiju did not name the person, leader of the House JP Nadda said Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar has given a statement that if need be we will change the Constitution to give reservation to Muslims.
«I have to say with great sadness that the Congress which claims to protect the Constitution is flouting it. Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who drafted the Constitution, said reservations will not be given on the basis of religion. But in Karnataka, the Congress government has passed a bill to give 4% reservation in public contracts to Muslims… They want to shred the Constitution,» Nadda said.
However, leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, who also hails from Karnataka, refuted the charges. «I will only say that nobody can change or end the Constitution made by Ambedkar. We carried out the Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir to protect the Constitution… We are the ones who stand for protecting the Constitution,» he said.
As the Congress and BJP members shouted slogans against each other, the House was adjourned till 2pm.
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When the House assembled again, Congress member Randeep