In Rajya Sabha on Monday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised the issue of Muslim reservation in Karnataka. There was an uproar over this and the House was adjourned till 2 pm.
Rijiju had demanded Congress President and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify the party's stand on this issue. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings of the House till 2 pm.
Rijiju had made this demand citing the statement of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, in which he had allegedly talked about changing the Constitution to give reservation to Muslims in government contracts.
Kiren Rijiju said, "A senior and responsible leader of the Congress, who holds a constitutional post, has made a statement that he wants to change the Constitution of India so that the Muslim community in Karnataka can be given reservation in public contracts."
Rijiju said, "We cannot take this statement lightly. If such a statement had been made by an ordinary leader, we could have responded even outside the House. But, this statement has come from a person who holds a constitutional post."
Rijiju furher said, "Shivakumar has clearly said that the Congress party will provide reservation to the Muslim community and for that he will change the Constitution of India. This is a very serious matter. This is a matter that we cannot tolerate."
Shivakumar clarifies
Meanwhile, Congress leader DK Shivakumar has reacted to the controversy over his statement.
He said, "I am a sensible politician. I have been in the House for the last 36 years. I have basic understanding. I had casually said that many changes will happen after many decisions."
"Reservation has already been given according to the quota of backward classes. I have not said that we are going to change the Constitution."
He said, "Whatever those people are saying is wrong. We are a national party. It is our party that brought the Constitution to this country. I will fight a case in this matter aginst those people who are presenting my statement in a wrong way.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha leader JP Nadda has said that there is no provision for reservation on the basis of religion in the Constitution.
He said, "No one can change the Constitution made under the guidance of BR Ambedkar."
Prakash Kumar Pandey
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