With guv returning it for 2nd time, Karnataka mulls sending Muslim quota bill to President

BENGALURU: Karnataka's Congress government is considering sending to the President a bill that proposes reservation for Muslims in civil contracts after governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot returned it a second time, insisting it be forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu .

Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2025, provides for 4% reservation to Muslims in civil contracts up to Rs 1 crore, besides quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs (Category I and II-A) in government tenders for goods and services. It was passed by the state legislature in March. Law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil had planned to meet senior officials and legal experts Thursday to decide the next course of action, but that meeting was postponed.

Senior officials said the government had considered challenging Gehlot's decision in court. However, constitutional experts reportedly advised against legal action, urging the government to pursue alternative routes instead. The issue is likely to be informally discussed during a meeting that CM Siddaramaiah is scheduled to chair on Friday.

Gehlot had referred the bill to the President previously following objections from the BJP. The principal opposition party argued that providing reservations based on religion violates constitutional provisions and urged the governor to withhold assent.

The government then re-sent the bill to Raj Bhavan without amendment but included detailed explanations justifying its stance and requesting the governor's approval. Gehlot, however, remained firm and sent it back again, reiterating reference to the President.