4% OBC quota for Muslims scrapped

Today, the Karnataka government revealed two new quotas for career and educational opportunities in addition to abandoning the 4% OBC Muslim class reservation. With Assembly elections due soon in the BJP-led Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has made a timely announcement. To ensure equal representation and increased opportunities for marginalised groups, the 4 per cent OBC Muslim quota has been divided and allocated between Vokkaligas & Lingayats. Muslims who are economically weaker sections have been given a separate categorisation. The choice to increase reservation in Karnataka has put the reservation percentage past the Supreme Court's mandated 50% cap, now estimated to be at 57%.

Mr Bommai informed the press today that some vital decisions have been taken. He further mentioned that a cabinet sub-committee suggested modifications to the quota divisions, which have now been carried out. According to Mr Bommai, the backward classes have been split into two distinct groups - "More Backward Classes" and "Most Backward Classes".The reservation quota for Vokkaligas and Panchamasalis, Veerashaivas and other Lingayats have both increased from 5% to 7%. This new policy aims to give equal opportunities for success and development to all members of society.

The Karnataka High Court is currently considering a filing which demands that the reservation percentage set by the Supreme Court be reduced below 50%. The Chief Minister recently announced new changes to the quota percentage breakdown. Scheduled Castes left will have 6% of the quota, Scheduled Castes Right will have 5.5%, for other castes 4.5%, and 1% for others. The allocation for different categories in the following manner: Category 1 (Backward Classes) 4%, Category 2A (Other Backward Classes, or OBCs) 15%, Category 2B (Muslims) 4%, Category 3A (Vokkaligas) 4%, Category 3B (Lingayats including Panchamshali Lingayat, Marathas, Bunts, Christians) 5%, SC 15 %, and Scheduled Tribes (ST) 3 %. This resulted in a 50% quota maximum set by the Supreme Court, as mandated.

Following the recent cabinet decision, the population quota set by the Supreme Court has been exceeded by a margin of 56 %. Here's the breakup: 4% for Backward Classes, 15% for OBCs, 0% for Category 2B, 6% for Vokkaligas, 7% each for Lingayats (including Panchamshali Lingayats), Marathas, Bunts &; Christians; 17% SC and 7% ST.