Bengaluru, April 17 — Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has reserved the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for the consideration of the President of India, citing potential constitutional inconsistencies. The bill, which seeks to introduce a 4% reservation for Muslims in government civic contracts valued up to ₹1 crore, has sparked political and legal debate across party lines.
Sources at Raj Bhavan confirmed that the Governor’s decision followed representations from opposition leaders, primarily the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who contend that religion-based reservations contravene the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution.
In a formal communication to the state government, Governor Gehlot is understood to have raised concerns regarding possible violations of Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution — which respectively guarantee equality before the law, prohibit discrimination on grounds including religion, and ensure equal opportunity in public employment. The Governor also referenced relevant Supreme Court rulings that have consistently disallowed religion as a basis for affirmative action.
"The Constitution of India does not permit reservation based on religion," the Governor reportedly stated in his note to the state, which was accompanied by a notification indicating that the matter would now be referred to the President.
The Karnataka government has acknowledged receipt of the Governor’s note. A senior official from the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry confirmed that the legal and constitutional aspects of the Governor’s observations will be reviewed before any further action is taken. “The bill will be examined carefully to determine the appropriate legal recourse,” the official said.
The bill’s reservation provision has heightened political friction, drawing sharp criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at a public rally in Haryana earlier this week, the Prime Minister condemned the move, describing it as an attempt by the Congress-led Karnataka government to “snatch away” the rights of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes by offering benefits on the basis of religion.
The controversy has been further intensified by the recent disclosure of Karnataka’s long-anticipated caste census. The socio-economic and educational survey, which was presented to the state cabinet last week, estimates the Muslim population at approximately 75.5 lakh and recommends that the community’s existing OBC quota be increased from 4% to 8%.
In light of these developments, the Karnataka cabinet is set to convene a special meeting on Thursday to deliberate the caste census findings and their implications, adding a new layer of complexity to the state’s already heated debate on affirmative action and inclusive policy frameworks.
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