Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 16: Escalating the war of words over the contentious Muslim quota issue in Karnataka, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra hit back at chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, claiming he has ‘no moral right’ to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reacting to the CM’s objection to the PM's recent remarks, Vijayendra said, “Respected chief minister Siddaramaiah, the honourable Prime Minister has only reiterated that the Constitution, drafted by Dr B R Ambedkar, does not permit reservations on the basis of religion.”
Taking a sharp jab, Vijayendra added, “Instead of working for the welfare of Karnataka’s people, your priority seems to be preserving your position by playing divisive politics along caste and religious lines.”
Warning of public backlash, he said, “If you do not abandon this divisive agenda, it will not be long before the people of this state rise in protest and deliver a fitting lesson.”
He accused the Karnataka government of crafting policies not for the real development of the Muslim community but to appease its vote bank. “The Prime Minister has rightly criticised your schemes that are designed to favour one religious group for electoral gain,” he said.
“You are the one fostering division and hatred among communities,” he alleged. “As the PM stated, you are setting fire to the garden of harmony envisioned by Rashtrakavi Kuvempu.”
Highlighting the constitutional aspect, Vijayendra questioned the CM’s interpretation of the law. “We expected a lawyer like you to understand the Constitution. But your recent statements suggest otherwise,” he said. “Have you not read Article 15(1), which clearly prohibits any kind of reservation or discrimination based on religion?”
He continued, “You argue that Dr Ambedkar never explicitly opposed religion-based reservation, but have you paid attention to what Article 15(1) actually says?”
Drawing a comparison, Vijayendra pointed out that in Andhra Pradesh, former CM Chandrababu Naidu’s government had offered reservation only to the most backward sections within the Muslim community — not the entire community — and even that was struck down by the high court. The case is still pending before the Supreme Court, he added.
He emphasised that reservations for Hindus have always been provided based on caste-related social and educational backwardness, not religion. “Why doesn’t this same standard apply when it comes to Muslims? That is the real question,” he said.
Vijayendra also asserted that PM Modi is deeply aware of the socio-economic and educational conditions of backward Muslim groups. “It was this government that abolished triple talaq, amended the Waqf Act, and brought in reforms aimed at protecting the rights of backward Muslims and women — not for votes, but for empowerment,” he said.
Slamming the Karnataka government’s caste census, he said, “You are the one fuelling divisions, not the Prime Minister.”
Vijayendra concluded by reminding that it was the BJP government that increased reservation for Scheduled Castes from 15% to 17% and for Scheduled Tribes from 3% to 7%, showing its commitment to social justice within constitutional limits.