Statecraft involves managing competing demands for accommodation and inclusion without prejudice to the interests of any section of society. However, some rulers, such as those in Karnataka, want to be seen to discriminate against a minority group in the hope of garnering the support of the majority. Karnataka government has decided to end the 4% quota for Muslims Setting aside an additional 2% each within the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category and for the dominant Vokkaliga and Veerashaiva-Lingayat communities is a divisive gambit in the hope of electoral dividends. The BJP regime has also created four sub-categories to introduce internal reservation for various Dalit communities under the Scheduled Caste (SC) category. The abolition of reservation for Muslims, whose poorer members will now have to compete with the general category for the 10% ‘economically weaker section’ quota, is a reminder of the same. Abolishing 5% quota for Muslims in Maharashtra In 2015. While reservation on the basis of religion alone is untenable, it appears that no recommendation has been made to the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission to withdraw reservation benefits for Muslims. The BJP has sought to portray the introduction of reservation for Muslims in 1995 as an example of minority appeasement.
It is indeed true that the Constitution does not allow reservation on the basis of religion alone, and there have been judicial decisions scrapping the quota for Muslims, not supported by a proper study on the extent of backwardness in the community. However, it is possible to extend reservation benefits to backward classes among identified religious minorities on the basis of relevant criteria. Some states are implementing reservation for Muslims in educational institutions as well as public employment by including them in the Backward Classes (BC) list. It is futile to argue that the vast majority of Muslims have reached a level of social and educational advancement that would justify their exclusion from the BC category, or that their representation in the services is not low. While Muslim leaders and organizations have opposed the abolition of reservation, the classification of Scheduled Caste communities is also controversial. Sections of the Dalits are in protest against the realignment of the 17% SC quota among various groups. Big decisions like changing the reservation policy before elections are not only questionable but can also fan unwanted fire.
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