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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Quota for minorities in housing: Siddaramaiah turns tables on BJP, points to NDA's policy for minorities
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday turned the tables on the Opposition BJP saying the increase in the quota for minorities in housing schemes in Karnataka has been in deference to a guideline issued by the NDA regime at the Centre and the same has been in force for years. If this was unconstitutional or appeasement , why did the Union Government ask all states to follow it? Why is it being implemented under Central schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana?, the CM asked in a media statement. The quota was applicable to minorities including Christians, Jains, and Muslims. "This is based on the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities (2019), which clearly directs all Central and State implementing agencies to earmark 15% of physical and financial targets for minorities wherever possible." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: 1 simple trick to get all TV channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo "Our decision does not grant blanket enhancement of quota across the state. It only addresses a specific implementation challenge. In many panchayats where the minority population is less than 10%, the mandated 10% earmarking could not be utilised. To ensure optimal use of the allocated targets and avoid lapses, we have allowed the gap from such panchayats to be reallocated to those with a higher minority population, subject to a cap of 15%. This is an administrative adjustment within the unreserved category and does not affect SC, ST, or OBC reservations in any manner. The decision is legally sound and has been cleared by the Law Department after thorough review," Siddaramaiah said in response to criticisms from the BJP. The BJP's reaction, he said, was both hypocritical and politically motivated. The same party that implements the 15% target at the national level is now accusing Karnataka of appeasement for merely applying the same principle to its state schemes. "If the BJP has any objection, they must first explain why their own government continues to operate under the same guidelines and why it expects other states to do the same. This selective outrage is nothing but an attempt to stoke communal sentiments and derail efforts meant to uplift the poorest and most marginalised families in the state." Live Events Over 34,000 additional minority families, most of them landless and in need of housing, will benefit from this decision in the current year alone. Where no minority applicants are found in a panchayat, the unutilised share will be reallocated to where there is higher need, ensuring that not a single house remains unbuilt due to technical rigidities. This approach ensures equity, efficiency, and full utilisation of resources, while remaining fully compliant with constitutional provisions, the statement said. "We urge BJP leaders to rise above narrow political calculations and support measures that truly uplift the poor, instead of trying to block their path with misinformation and communal rhetoric," Siddaramaiah said. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Friday maintained that the 5% increase in the quota of minorities in the housing schemes would not eat into the share of other communities, lashing out at the BJP for threatening to launch an agitation demanding the reversal of the Cabinet decision. Housing Minister BZ Zamir Ahmed Khan has only transferred the quota of minorities from rural areas to urban areas as the population of minorities is low in rural areas. No quota is being snatched from anyone to give them to minorities, he told the media a day after the government's decision triggered sharp reactions from the Opposition BJP. The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to increase the minority quota in the government's housing schemes by 5 percentage points, weeks after passing a bill to create a 4% Muslim quota in government's civil contracts. The government currently has a quota of 10%, which will now go up to 15%. Shivakumar said as per the Justice Sachar Committee report, minorities were given quotas in rural areas also. But it was not being used as the population of minorities was low in rural areas. As much as 90% of SC/STs have been given homes. The government cannot give funds unless they lay the foundation stone for their house, he added. The government cannot incur losses by keeping flats vacant, but the Opposition parties were politicising it, he said. Housing Minister Khan said the Centre already has a 15% quota for minorities as per the Sachar committee report. There has been a demand to have the same policy in Karnataka also. The Cabinet decided to implement the same here also, accepting the report of the Cabinet sub-committee, he said. Veteran BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said his party was not against the interests of minorities, it was not fair to over appease them for the sake of vote bank politics.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Kailash Mansarovar yatra resumes: 5 unsolved mysteries of Mount Kailash
The is commencing on June 30, 2025, after a 5-year suspension since the COVID pandemic. This religious place is woven into the mysterious threads of spiritual details of Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, and Bon practitioners. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Beyond its religious magnetism, Mount Kailash remains an untouched enigma, as no mountaineers, pilgrims, or any sherpa has ever been able to make it to the summit despite ample exploration. It's a place where myths are intertwined with unbelievable incidents relating to electromagnetic oddities, time distortions, mirror‑like cliffs, twin lakes of stark contrast, and whispers of pyramidal geometry. Here are the five unsolved mysteries about the revered Mount Kailash. Mountaineers could not climb Though Mount Kailash stands at 6,638 meters—far lower than Everest—it is said that no one has ever reached its summit. Over the years, several expeditions, including one by the British in 1926 and another by the Japanese in 2001, had to turn back due to illness, extreme weather, or inexplicable setbacks. China has since banned any attempts to climb the peak, respecting its deep spiritual significance. Geologists point to its steep, symmetrical slopes and volatile weather, but many locals and pilgrims believe something greater is at work, something similar to an invisible force that simply won't let anyone go beyond a certain point. The mystery of twin lakes At the foot of Mount Kailash lie two starkly different lakes, the Lake Mansarovar and Rakshas Tal. Mansarovar is a serene freshwater lake, valued by pilgrims for its purity and spiritual power. Just next to it is Rakshas Tal, a saltwater lake with a more scary , lifeless appearance. According to legend, this is where Ravana, the demon king from the Ramayana, meditated and performed intense penance to win Lord Shiva's favour. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While scientists say tectonic shifts and glacial activity once connected the two lakes, the stark difference in their waters, one sweet and nourishing, the other undrinkable and barren still remains a mystery. Some believe these twin lakes mirror the eternal balance of light and shadow, good and evil, that Kailash itself represents. The Kailash is a time warp? Across time, pilgrims report surprising experiences in the vicinity of this sacred site like, hair and nails sprouting rapidly, or sudden signs of aging, all in mere hours. One vivid account comes from Russian ophthalmologist Dr. Ernst Muldashev, who led a 1999 expedition near Mount Kailash. His team documented voices and stone‑fall sounds emanating from within the mountain, and he referenced tales of Siberian climbers who aged dramatically after lingering too long. It has the perfect geometry Mount Kailash's eminent pyramid-like shape, with four nearly symmetrical faces aligned to the cardinal directions, continues to puzzle scientists and researchers. While geologists explain the formation as the result of natural erosion and glacial carving over millions of years, its near-perfect geometry is highly unusual in nature. This has led some researchers to speculate about its connection to global sacred sites like the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge, suggesting Kailash might be part of an ancient energy grid or sacred geospatial design in the ratio 1:3, and according to Tibetan Buddhism, Mt. Kailash is also described as Axis Mundi or the center of the Universe. The mountain has a mirror On the southern face of Mount Kailash, there's a massive, smooth, mirror-like wall that does not fit well with the rugged Himalayan terrain. It reflects sunlight in an almost surreal way, giving it the appearance of a polished surface. However, this is an unusual formation, especially given the mountain's extreme environment. While some believe it could be the result of natural geological processes like glacial polishing or rock stratification, its exact origin remains unexplained.
Hans India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Reservation for minorities under housing schemes hiked to 15%
Bengaluru: The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10 to 15 per cent. According to the government, this enhanced quota will benefit all minorities including Muslims, Christians, and Jains. The move follows a recent government initiative to introduce a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in public contracts, which has come under criticism from opposition BJP. The saffron party has accused the Congress dispensation of 'undermining' the Constitution through religion-based reservations. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar defended the decision, saying its primary objective is to help poorer sections of the society. Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil said, 'Under various housing schemes being implemented by the Housing Department across the state, in both urban and rural areas, it has been decided to enhance the reservation for minorities from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.' 'The decision was taken-- as the central government observing the inadequate housing among them (minorities) has given certain instructions, and the state government too has observed the high number of homeless among minorities in the state,' he said. Responding to a question about scientific basis for the increased reservation, the Minister said there are reports on the total number of homeless among SC/STs, general category, and others. 'On all that count, we have increased the percentage of reservation (for minorities),' he added. Asked if similar enhancements will be extended to all communities, based on population, Patil said it will be given wherever the number of homeless is high. 'There were also certain instructions from the Centre while allocating certain housing schemes to states, certain instructions are being given by the Centre based on the Sachar Committee report, keeping all this and social justice in mind, this decision has been taken,' he said, adding that this move does not require any amendments to rules and law. Noting that there has been a demand for such an enhancement in quota for housing, especially in urban areas, Patil said hence this decision has been taken unanimously by the cabinet. To a query if this decision will lead to a perception that it is aimed at benefiting Muslims, as other minorities are not in big numbers across the state, he said, 'we cannot respond to those building perceptions and those trying to politicise providing houses for the poor. I can only say that the government's intention is to provide social justice and more benefits to the communities where the homeless are high in is only for housing.' The Minister clarified that this reservation is not applicable to specified housing schemes for SC/STs and others. Criticising the decision, Karnataka BJP alleged that the Congress government is always ready to 'dishonour the Constitution'. 'Although the Constitution clearly states that reservations should not be given on the basis of religion, the Congress government in Karnataka is repeatedly violating it. Providing 15 per cent reservation separately for Muslims under the housing schemes is completely unconstitutional. The Congress, which has been reprimanded by the court for giving reservation to Muslims in contracts, will also be reprimanded in this matter,' it said in a post on 'X'. Defending the cabinet decision, Shivakumar told media that many houses built under housing schemes are vacant. As the minority population is more in urban areas compared to other parts, opportunity is being given to them to utilise. 'Urban areas have a higher population of minorities and their quota under various housing schemes was 10 per cent. Many houses were empty and not occupied, some percentage money has to be paid for these houses,' he said. Noting that the central government's funds for some of these schemes are less, he said, 'So, we (state government) have contributed to the remaining part and built these houses. As in many places the buildings (houses) built are not occupied, as the minority population is more in some areas, to give them an opportunity to utilise (the houses), the quota has been enhanced from 10 to 15 per cent,' he said. Rejecting BJP's allegations, the Deputy CM said, 'Let anyone say anything, we want to help poorer sections, when there are no applicants (for houses) what can you do? Can I keep the buildings vacant? We can't do that.'
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Minorities' housing schemes quota to go from 10% to 15%
The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to enhance the reservation for minorities under various housing schemes in the state from 10% to 15%, drawing criticism from the opposition BJP, which called the move 'unconstitutional'. According to ministers, the move aligned with both the demographic realities and existing central guidelines. According to the government, this enhanced quota will benefit all minorities, including Muslims, Christians, and Jains. The change will apply to all government housing initiatives implemented across the state, and according to housing minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, it comes after long-standing demands from minority groups who have struggled to access affordable housing. The decision, however, has led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to accuse the Congress-led government of pushing a religion-based agenda in violation of constitutional principles. Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the revision, highlighting that many housing units remain unoccupied in towns and cities, and that the new allocation could address both vacancy and need. 'In Mandya, there are 7 to 9 towers where no one has moved in. At least minorities are willing to occupy those buildings,' he said. 'In urban areas, a lot of minorities are present. We couldn't allocate [homes] to others, and that's why they requested 10–15%.' He pointed to similar patterns in Bengaluru, where homes built under public schemes have not been fully utilised. 'We've constructed houses, but no one has occupied them,' he said, adding that the increase was a long-pending demand. 'In the past seven years, they proposed this, and we agreed.' Law minister HK Patil called the change a reflection of the government's 'housing for all' vision. 'Many houseless individuals come from downtrodden and minority backgrounds. This move ensures that homes reach those in genuine need,' he said, clarifying that the quota does not exclude other communities. 'The government is firm that all eligible, houseless individuals should be accommodated.' The BJP has condemned the decision as constitutionally untenable. Union minister Pralhad Joshi claimed it flouted Supreme Court orders that bar religion-based reservations. 'This is a clear case of appeasement. The Congress government has increased what was on paper 4 to 15% in practice,' he said. 'It is a direct attack on the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs, who will now lose out on benefits rightfully theirs.' Joshi warned of potential legal action, stating the party would review options in consultation with legal experts. BJP MLC CT Ravi also criticised the policy, invoking the legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar. 'Ambedkar never supported religion-based reservation. Now Congress is extending it to housing too,' he said. The move follows another contentious policy from the Siddaramaiah government earlier this year — an attempt to reserve 4% of government contracts under ₹2 crore for Muslims.
India Gazette
16 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP slams Karnataka government over religion-based reservation, calls it 'unconstitutional'
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 20 (ANI): The Karnataka government's decision to increase reservation for minority communities under housing schemes has sparked strong criticism from the BJP. State party president Vijayendra Yediyurappa has called it 'unconstitutional' and accused the Congress of indulging in vote-bank politics. In a post on X, Yediyurappa accused the Congress government of turning welfare into vote-bank politics and claimed that the new reservation policy deprives SCs, STs, and OBCs of their rightful opportunities. 'Reservation on the basis of religion is unconstitutional! @INCKarnataka in Karnataka has converted welfare into a marketplace for vote-bank politics. First, 4% quota in government contracts. Now, 15% quota in housing schemes. Where does this appeasement end? 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,' he wrote. He asked the Congress to read the Constitution of India, asserting that reservations are intended for those who are socially and educationally backwards, not based on religious identity. 'I urge Congress to pick up the Constitution they love to wave at public meetings. Had they read it even once, they would know that reservations are based on social and educational backwardness, and not handed out based on 'who votes for me.' Under the guise of welfare, this government is brazenly pushing religion-based reservation, striking at the very foundation of Dr. BR Ambedkar's Constitution and dragging his vision through the dirt of appeasement politics,' he added. 'The Congress government's reckless appeasement will not survive judicial scrutiny, nor escape the judgment of history. Karnataka deserves governance, not divisive experiments with the Constitution,' the BJP leader said. Earlier, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi condemned the move, calling it unconstitutional by referring to the Supreme Court's 'rejection' of religion-based reservation. Speaking to ANI, Joshi said, 'This is against the Constitution. The Supreme Court has also rejected a religion-based reservation. This reduces the quota for OBC, ST, and poor people from the general caste. The Karnataka government is doing the politics of appeasement. I condemn this. We will also approach the court against this.' On Thursday, the Karnataka Cabinet approved an increase in the reservation quota for minority communities under various housing schemes from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. Karnataka Minister HK Patil stated that this move does not require any new rules to be drafted. 'The reservation for all minority communities will be increased. There are Christians, Jains, Buddhists,' the Minister said. (ANI)
