In a groundbreaking move, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announced a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts in his 2025 budget speech. A week later, the state cabinet approved the decision, triggering a heated political debate. Critics argue that Article 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution prohibit reservations based on religion, while supporters claim this move is about social and educational backwardness, not religion. Reservation in India has a long history, dating back to the Hunter Commission in 1882 and later initiatives by rulers like Shahu Maharaj. Over time, backward communities across different religions—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians—have been granted reservations based on their socio-economic conditions. While states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar provide quotas for backward Muslim communities in education and jobs, Karnataka’s decision to extend this to government contracts is unprecedented. The government argues that this quota is not based on religion but on economic and social backwardness, as highlighted in various reports. However, the opposition labels it as “government jihad.” Will this move empower marginalized Muslim contractors, or is it a political strategy? Watch this episode of Facts & Figures to understand the complete picture!