“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that the Congress has transferred the reservation quota from backward classes and Dalits to Muslims is a blatant lie,” he said in a post on X.
“It stems from ignorance but also indicative of his desperation born from a fear of defeat. No leader in the history of our country has ever demeaned the office of the Prime Minister to such a low level”, he added.
Highlighting that the reservation for Muslims has been in place for the “past three decades”, he said, “It’s true that in Karnataka, Muslims have been included in the 2B category for backward classes. This is not something done now. It has been based on the reports of the Backward Classes Commissions starting the L. G. Havanur in 1974. This reservation has been in place for the past three decades.”
Calling out PM Modi to “apologise to nation”, he said, “Being in a position of responsibility, Prime Minister Narendra Modi must either substantiate these irresponsible allegations with evidence or apologise to the nation.”
PM Modi said at a rally in Tonk Rajasthan that the Congress tried to extend reservation to Muslims outside of the Dalit quota, accusing the party of inventing a “deep conspiracy” to steal people’s wealth and distribute it to a “select” group.
“As soon as the Congress formed the government at the Centre in 2004, one of the first things it did was to reduce the SC/ST reservation in Andhra Pradesh and give it to Muslims,” PM Modi said.
“Between 2004 and 2010, the Congress tried to implement Muslim reservation in Andhra Pradesh four times but due to legal hurdles and the awareness of the Supreme Court, it could not fulfil its intention,” he added.
Questioning PM Modi’s claims, Siddaramaiah said, “Where has the Congress stated that it would take away reservations from backward classes and SC/STs to give them to Muslims? Which state government under the Congress has implemented such a policy? Is there any official government document related to this? Prime Minister Modi must present all these details before the nation.”
Emphasizing that constitutional reservations can’t be amended, he said, “Moreover, state governments do not have the authority to modify reservations for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.”
Mentioning that the Supreme Court has put a stay on the order to repeal the 4% quota for Muslims, Siddaramaiah said, “The Supreme Court ordered that the revised reservation should not be implemented until further notice. It is regrettable that even such important information has escaped the attention of the Prime Minister.”