Religion-based politics can offset years of inclusive, forward-looking policies: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Ravi Shankar Prasad

Amid the ongoing controversy over Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar's alleged remark on "changing the Constitution", senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad sought to remind the Opposition about the damaging consequences of practicing appeasement politics. In no uncertain terms, Prasad cited instances like the Shah Bano case and vehement opposition against the Triple Talaq law to illustrate how vote-bank politics has the potential to offset years of positive, inclusive and growth-based policies that the BJP has brought about.

Ravi Shankar Prasad's statement comes in the backdrop of Karnataka government's decision to provide a four per cent reservation for Muslims in government contract. The BJP and RSS have unequivocally maintained that the Constitution does not allow religion-based quota.

The Shah Bano case is seen as one of the milestones in Muslim women’s fight for rights in India and the battle against the set Muslim personal law. It laid the ground for thousands of women to make legitimate claims which they were not allowed before.

Earlier today, Rajya Sabha began with loud protests from the Treasury bnenches demanding an explanation from Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge regarding the party’s position on reservations for Muslims amid uproar over a four per cent reservation for minorities in Karnataka.

Added to Karnataka government;s decision to provide a four per cent reservation for Muslims in government contract, Karnataka deputy CM Shivakumar, allegedly at an event on Sunday, talked about the bill that provided four per cent reservation to minorities and other backward classes in public contracts in the state in an event, purportedly saying that the "constitution will be changing."

Taking strong objection to Shivakumar's alleged statement, BJP MP Kiren Rijiju said, “A very senior and responsible leader from the Congress party, who holds a constitutional post, has stated that they are going to change the Constitution of India to provide reservations in contracts for the Muslim community. We cannot take this statement lightly. This is an assault on the Constitution of India.”

The Karnataka cabinet earlier approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four percent reservation in tenders to minority contractors. The decision was taken on March 14 in a meeting chaired by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Cabinet Hall of the Vidhan Sabha.