The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has opposed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s remarks suggesting that the Constitution would be changed to facilitate 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts. The statement, made during the News18 India Diamond States Summit 2025, has led to criticism from BJP leaders, who questioned Congress’ position on constitutional amendments.
The Karnataka government recently passed a bill granting 4% of reservation for Muslim contractors in public contracts, much to the opposition of the BJP. The reservation had previously included the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Category 1 and Category 2A. Category 1 (most backward) includes 17 Muslim communities, while Category 2A (relatively more backward) includes 19 communities. Contractors from these communities would be eligible for contracts worth up to Rs 2 crore under the KTPP Act, while suppliers of goods and services would be eligible for orders up to Rs 1 crore.
Speaking at the News18 India Diamond States Summit 2025 on Sunday, Shivakumar defended the reservation for minorities, arguing that economic upliftment should extend to all communities.
“There is a big debate regarding this issue. Many BJP leaders have claimed that Muslims are repairing bike punctures. It is our responsibility to uplift every section of society, allowing them to come forward and be part of the development. We have initiated something, and we know that everyone will approach the court. Many judgements have altered the Constitution over time,” he said.
Shivakumar added that while the current Constitution does not provide for religious-based reservations, legal changes over time have set precedents. “Let us see, let us watch. Let the courts decide. Many changes have taken place; Constitution will be changing. There are judgements that will alter the Constitution (sic),” he said.
BJP leaders were quick to condemn Shivakumar’s remarks, accusing the Congress of attempting to alter the Constitution for political gains.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s stance on constitutional protection. “Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar openly declares that Congress will amend the Constitution to grant reservations to Muslims. Where is Rahul Gandhi, the self-proclaimed saviour of the Constitution now?” Malviya wrote on X.
Malviya further accused Congress of prioritising appeasement politics. “The Congress has always prioritised appeasement over national interest—they didn’t hesitate to partition the country on religious lines, and even after that, ensured that Muslims stayed back. There could be no greater betrayal. Congress has never been fair to Hindus—and it never will be,” he said.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "It is clear that Congress is anti-Constitution, anti-reservation and anti-Ambedkar. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has agreed that giving 4 per cent reservation to Muslims in government contracts is not under the Constitution, but they will change the Constitution for it.”