Speaking at India Today’s ‘Karnataka Roundtable 2023’ event in Bengaluru on Saturday, Lingayat Seer Mrityunjaya Swami welcomed the decision of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of scrapping the four per cent reservation for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions. 

He said, “The 2 per cent reservation is our right. We request the government to address the grievances of different communities such as Banjaras.”

The state’s BJP government headed by Basavaraj Bommai decided to scrap the four per cent reservation for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions weeks ahead of the state assembly polls on May 10.

The state government announced two new categories of reservation and divided the four per cent Muslim quota between the Vokkaligas and Lingayats, the two numerically dominant and politically influential communities. Muslims eligible for quotas were categorised under the economically weaker sections.

Criticising the BJP-led Karnataka government for its decision to scrap reservation for Muslims under Category 2B in the OBC list, the Congress said it would restore the quota to the minority community if the party wins the election.