Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a far-right, Hindu nationalist party has called religion-based reservation as unconstitutional. The statement comes amid debate over Karnataka’s Congress government’s decision to provide a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts. The RSS cited the Indian Constitution and said, “Religion-based reservation is not accepted in the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar.”
RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Sunday said religion based reservations go against the architect of Indian Constitution, B R Ambedkar.
Dattatreya Hosabale was in Bengaluru, along with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to inaugurate a Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, the highest decision making body of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Sabha was inaugurated on Friday.
On Sunday, addressing reporters, Hosabale said, “Religion-based reservation is not accepted in the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Anybody doing it is going against the architect of our Constitution.”
The RSS leader also pointed out that previous attempts by erstwhile Undivided Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to introduce religion-based reservations for Muslims were set aside by the High Courts and Supreme Court.
Hosabale emphasised that the courts have rejected provisions for such quota.
Karnataka passes Bill providing 4% reservation for Muslims
A Bill was passed in the Karnataka Assembly to provide 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts.
The Cabinet had approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, reserving for Muslims 4 per cent of contracts in (civil) works valued up to `2 crore, and goods/services procurement contracts up to ₹1 crore.
This was announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his 2025-26 Budget, presented on March 7.
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka termed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, which was piloted by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil, “unconstitutional”.
The opposition, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has vehemently criticised this move, terming it “unconstitutional” and an example of “appeasement politics.”
BJP leaders argue that such a religion-based quota infringes upon the rights of other backward classes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes.
The passage of the bill was marked by significant turmoil in the Karnataka Assembly, with BJP MLAs staging protests and being subsequently suspended.
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