BJP MP K Laxman alleged in Rajya Sabha on Monday that opposition-ruled states like Telangana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala include all Muslims in Other Backward Classes (OBC) quotas, prompting an opposition walkout. He claimed this violates reservation policy against religion-based quotas. Leader of the House JP Nadda criticised the walkout.
During Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, BJP MP K Laxman alleged misuse of OBC reservation in opposition-ruled states. He stated that Telangana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala include all Muslims in OBC quotas, amounting to religion-based reservation against policy.
Laxman cited judgments from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu high courts questioning the practice and demanded, “There should be a comprehensive review of such religion-based reservations.” The opposition protested and walked out of the House.
Leader of the House JP Nadda criticised the walkout, saying the opposition, particularly Congress, has been “disrespectful of the Constitution and parliamentary proceedings.” He accused the INDIA alliance of lacking interest in debates and indulging in appeasement politics by treating Muslims as a vote bank.
Previously, BJP had criticised West Bengal's TMC government for adding Muslim groups to the OBC list between 2010 and 2012, and Karnataka's Congress for providing 4% reservation to Muslims in government contracts.
