BJP scrapped Muslim quota to stir communal strife in Karnataka, reap political benefit: Kumaraswamy

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy asked if the government had sought the suggestions of the Backward Classes Commission before scrapping the 2B reservation and distributing it between the Vokkaligas and Lingayats.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy (file)

The BJP government in Karnataka decided to scrap the 4 per cent reservation offered to Muslims under the 2B category to trigger conflict between them and Hindus, and to benefit from it electorally, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said Monday.

“The objective behind the decision is the policy of divide and rule employed by the BJP. They think that if Muslims hit the streets (to protest), they will benefit from it. Fortunately, Muslims have remained peaceful,” he said.

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The former chief minister advised the minority community to challenge the Karnataka Cabinet decision legally. “The main objective is to stir conflict between Hindus and Muslims to reap political dividends,” he said.

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Questioning the basis of the announcement to scrap the 2B reservation and distribute it between Vokkaligas and Lingayats, and the internal reservation announced for SC/STs, Kumaraswamy sought to know whether the government had sought the recommendation or suggestions of the Backward Classes Commission.

“What was the basis for the announcement? This announcement will just remain on paper….. Even the reservation hiked for SC/STs will not be implemented in the Ninth Schedule. Now they are trying to fool Vokkaligas and Lingayats with additional reservation, the legal status of which is still unclear,” the Janata Dal (Secular) leader said.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements against the Congress for raising the slogan ‘Modi teri kabar khudegi (Modi, your grave would be dug)’, Kumaraswamy said it was Modi who was digging the grave of the Indian Constitution.

“Who can bury you? We are seeing who is being finished off… Democratic and constitutional bodies are being buried by you,” he said, adding that a Prime Minister making such remarks does not augur well for the position he was in.

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