New Delhi, March 30: A significant uproar occurred in the Rajya Sabha on Monday when BJP MP K. Lakshman raised the issue of excluding the Muslim community from the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category.
During Zero Hour, Lakshman asserted that the benefits of OBC reservations should only be extended to socially backward classes and should not be based on religion. This statement sparked strong opposition from various political parties. Following the escalating dispute, the opposition staged a walkout in protest against the government’s stance.
Members of the ‘India’ alliance labeled this a divisive issue, arguing that it goes against the Constitution and the principles of social justice.
BJP Rajya Sabha member K. Lakshman stated that in some states, the reservation system designed for socially backward classes is being misused on religious grounds, which contradicts the spirit of the Constitution. He emphasized that the primary goal of reservations is to address social and educational backwardness, yet some state governments are implementing it based on religious identity. He cited examples from various states.
He highlighted Karnataka’s inclusion of the Muslim community in the OBC list, granting them nearly 4% reservation. Lakshman also mentioned West Bengal, where a significant number of Muslims have been classified as OBC, potentially impacting the rights of genuinely backward classes. Similar concerns were raised regarding Tamil Nadu’s separate reservation system for Muslims and Kerala’s increase in reservation percentages for the Muslim community within the OBC category.
He further addressed the issue of special reservations for Muslims in Telangana. Lakshman argued that providing reservations based on religion contradicts the fundamental principles of the Constitution. He noted that in some cases, courts (High Courts) have raised objections to such arrangements.
Citing B.R. Ambedkar’s views, he insisted that the basis for reservations should be social and educational backwardness, not religion. He urged the government to conduct a comprehensive review of religion-based reservations to ensure that benefits reach genuinely needy and backward classes, thereby preserving the core spirit of social justice. He concluded by warning that linking reservations solely to religious identity would undermine the essence of social justice and harm the truly marginalized groups.
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