NCBC flags OBC quota for Muslims in Karnataka

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Karnataka's reservation policy for backward classes has come under the scanner with the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) red-flagging Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation given to Muslims on the basis of religion.

NCBC has raised objections following a field visit in July 2023 and detailed examination of Karnataka's reservation policy for OBCs in educational institutions and government jobs. According to Karnataka government's reservation policy (based on the order issued in March 2002), backward classes are grouped as Category I, Category IIA, Category IIB, Category IIIA and Category IIIB and provided 32% reservation. The entire Muslim community is treated as socially and educationally backward under Category IIB.
At the same time, the state government is providing reservation to 17 socially and educationally backward communities of Muslims under Category I and 19 communities under Category IIA. NCBC has flagged that if the entire Muslim community is provided reservation under Category IIB, why are certain communities being provided in the other two categories.

When contacted, NCBC chairman Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told ET, «Reservation to OBCs is based on social and educational backwardness and not on religion. Extending religion-based reservation deprives the deserving backward classes their right to reservation. We have been repeatedly flagging the issues to Karnataka but the state government has not given a proper response.»

The Commission has also pointed out that the state governments are