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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s statement on Muslim reservation and constitutional amendment has created a stir in the country’s politics. In an interview given at NEWS18 India Diamond States Summit, DK Shivakumar had hinted at constitutional amendment to give reservation to Muslims. Actually, Shivakumar was asked that if reservation on the basis of religion is not valid in the Constitution, then how will the proposal of 4 percent reservation for Muslims in government contracts be implemented. On this, Karnataka Deputy CM said, ‘Yes, I agree, let’s see, let’s see what the court says, we have started something, I know that people will go to court, wait for good days, good days will come, there are many changes, the Constitution will change, there are also such decisions which change the Constitution.’

BJP immediately grabbed this statement of DK Shivakumar. BJP created a lot of ruckus in both the houses of Parliament by cornering the Congress on this issue. Due to this, the proceedings of both the houses had to be adjourned.

Meaning of Shivkumar’s statement
Shivkumar’s statement has come at a time when the Congress government in Karnataka is trying to strengthen the minority vote bank. The Muslim community population in the state is about 13%, and this vote bank can prove to be decisive in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections. BJP had abolished Muslim reservation last year, after which Congress promised to implement it again. Shivkumar’s statement seems to be an attempt to strengthen this promise, but by mentioning the constitutional amendment, he played a trick which gave BJP an opportunity to attack. BJP is calling it against the secular character of the Constitution, while Congress is defending it by calling it an issue of social justice.