NCBC not satisfied with Karnataka government's reply on inclusion of all Muslims in OBC category, will send summons

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has objected to the state government's decision to include the entire Muslim community in Karnataka in the OBC category to provide reservation benefits. Now NCBC is preparing to send a summons to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka regarding this. National Backward Classes Commission (NCBC) Chairman Hansraj Ahir gave this information. Hansraj Ahir said 'Considering all the castes and communities of Muslim religion in Karnataka as socially and educationally backward, they have been included separately as Muslim caste under Second B category in the state list of backward classes.'

Hansraj Ahir said that because of this classification, Muslims will get the benefit of reservation in educational institutions and state service jobs under Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution. NCBC said that giving reservations to all Muslims in the OBC category also ignored the diversity and complexities of the Muslim community. Ahir said that the reply sent by the state government on this matter is not satisfactory and hence he will summon the Chief Secretary of Karnataka in this matter and seek clarification.

According to the data of the Backward Classes Welfare Department of Karnataka, all castes and communities of Muslim religion have been included in the OBC category. Last year, during an investigation, the National Commission for Backward Classes reviewed the reservation policy in the state, which revealed that Muslims were given the benefit of reservation in the OBC category. In Karnataka, 32 percent of reservations is given to the OBC category. Local body elections will also be affected by the inclusion of all Muslims in the OBC category by the state government. According to the 2011 census, there are 12.92 percent Muslims in the state.