Karnataka Increases Minority Reservation in Housing Schemes to 15%

On June 19, the Karnataka Cabinet decided to increase the reservation for minorities in various housing schemes from 10% to 15%. According to the government, this increase will benefit all minority communities including Muslims, Christians, and Jains.

This move follows the state’s earlier step to implement 4% reservation for Muslims in public tenders, which drew criticism from the opposition BJP. The BJP accused the Congress-led state government of weakening the Constitution through religion-based reservation.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar defended the decision, stating that the primary goal is to assist the poor. Housing Minister H.K. Patil said the decision applies across urban and rural areas and is based on central government directives and data showing high homelessness among minorities.

Patil clarified that this reservation does not affect the quotas already in place for SC/ST and other communities. The government emphasized that the move is not based on religion but on addressing actual housing needs, especially in urban areas where many houses remain unoccupied.

Rejecting BJP's allegations, Shivakumar said the focus is on ensuring that vacant houses are utilized and that the poor, regardless of religion, benefit from the policy. He stated, “We cannot leave buildings vacant if there are no applicants. This is a policy for housing, not politics.”

The BJP, however, termed the decision unconstitutional and alleged repeated violations of constitutional provisions by the state government.