SC slams Karnataka govt’s call to scrap 4% Muslim quota

The Supreme Court slammed the Karnataka government’s decision to scrap the 4% Other Backward Classes (OBC) Muslim quota on Thursday, stating the action is based on “absolutely fallacious assumptions.”

“The Karnataka government’s decision to increase 2% quotas for Vokkaliga and Lingayat each while eliminating the 4% OBC quota for Muslims appears to be shaky and flawed,” the Supreme Court remarked.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state government, told the Supreme Court that no admission or appointment will be made on the basis of the notification till the next date of hearing on April 18.

Last month, the Karnataka government abolished the 4% OBC reservation for Muslims and reallocated it evenly among the strong Vokkaliga and Lingayat populations. Muslims who qualify for quotas are now classified under the economically weaker sections (EWS).