Cong communalising welfare: BJP on housing quota

A political firestorm kicked off within hours of the Cabinet’s decision on Thursday to increase the reservation for minorities in housing schemes from 10% to 15%. The Opposition BJP swiftly condemned the move, accusing the Congress government of indulging in religious appeasement and vote-bank politics at the cost of constitutional values.

The BJP warned that the decision not only sets a dangerous precedent, but also undermines the rights of SCs, STs, OBCs and the economically weaker sections (EWS) from the general category.

The party vowed to challenge the move both politically and legally, including raising the issue in the upcoming legislature session besides launching state-wide protests till the policy is rolled back.

At the heart of the controversy is the BJP’s allegation that the Congress is “communalising” welfare policies. Party leaders contended that the increased quota for minorities violates constitutional provisions, as religion-based reservation is explicitly prohibited.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, speaking at the BJP state headquarters in the city, called the decision “unconstitutional” and a clear example of appeasement politics.

“This will directly impact existing reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities. The Constitution does not permit religion-based quotas, and the Supreme Court has affirmed this. Yet the state government goes ahead, disregarding these principles,” he said.

He also questioned the use of funds from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), stating that central schemes were being misused to further a “vote-bank agenda”.

State BJP president B Y Vijayendra echoed the criticism, accusing the Congress of turning welfare into a “marketplace for vote-bank politics”.

Citing the earlier 4% quota for Muslims in government contracts, he asked, “Where does this appeasement end?”

He added, “This move strikes at the very foundation of Dr Ambedkar’s Constitution,” warning that it would not withstand judicial scrutiny.

BJP national IT cell head Amit Malviya also weighed in, terming the move “blatantly illegal and dangerous social engineering”. He accused the Congress of using reservation as a tool to polarise communities for short-term political gain. “Karnataka deserves better,” he wrote.

Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka likened the Congress’ actions to the divisive politics of Nehru and Jinnah.

“Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar are splitting Karnataka along religious lines. This isn’t social justice — it’s electoral arithmetic,” he said, adding that BJP would mobilise state-wide protests if the policy is not rolled back.