Karnataka Housing and Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan on Friday firmly defended the state cabinet’s decision to increase reservation for minorities in housing schemes from 10% to 15%, calling it a long-standing recommendation and not a sudden political move. He said the decision is rooted in a 2019 cabinet subcommittee proposal and is aligned with both humanitarian needs and central government guidelines.
“Decision to reserve 15% for minorities in housing schemes is not a decision taken now. The cabinet subcommittee formed in 2019, when HD Kumaraswamy was the chief minister, had recommended it,” Khan stated in response to sharp criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has labelled the move as “unconstitutional” and driven by “vote-bank politics.”
The increase, approved by the cabinet on Thursday, will now apply to all housing schemes under Karnataka’s Urban and Rural Development Departments. The move, while welcomed by several minority groups and rights advocates, has sparked controversy across political lines.
Khan justified the hike by citing an increase in homelessness and acute housing needs among minority communities, especially in urban regions. “The existing 10% reservation rate has been increased to 15%. There are more poor families in the minority community, and the number of homeless people has gone up. Hence, there was a demand to increase the reservation rate,” he said.
He also referenced a 2021 recommendation from the National Commission for Minorities, which had urged both the Centre and states to earmark at least 15% of housing scheme benefits for minorities. “Without understanding these factual points, the opposition parties are making unnecessary criticisms, which is not appropriate,” Khan added.
Backing his cabinet colleague, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the move consistent with the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (2019), which advises all Central and State agencies to allocate 15% of physical and financial targets to minorities “wherever possible.” In a written statement, the CM dismissed the BJP’s objections as “hypocritical and politically motivated,” adding, “We reject the politics of hatred and division. Our decision is within constitutional limits and based on need, not appeasement.”
However, senior BJP leader and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa condemned the decision, warning it could create “social divisions.” “This government is unnecessarily creating problems... If they want to increase the quota, they should do it for everyone and all communities,” he said.
His son and current state BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa went a step further, attacking the Congress on social media. “Reservation on the basis of religion is unconstitutional! First, 4% quota in government contracts. Now, 15% in housing schemes. Where does this appeasement end?” he asked, accusing the Congress of reducing benefits meant for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs.
“This is a dangerous attempt to institutionalise communal vote-bank politics. It not only robs SCs, STs, and OBCs of their rightful opportunities, but also sends a disturbing message that merit, backwardness, and constitutional principles are secondary to religious appeasement,” Vijayendra added.
