18 BJP MLAs ousted from Karnataka House; Muslim quota bill passed

BENGALURU: Both Houses of Karnataka legislature Friday passed the controversial bill granting 4% reservation to Muslims in securing govt contracts despite opposition from BJP-JD(S). The bill was passed in the assembly soon after 18 BJP MLAs were suspended for six months for 'disrespecting the Chair' while vociferously demanding a probe into alleged honey-trap cases.

The bill seeking to reserve 4% of civil work contracts up to Rs 2 crore and goods and services contracts up to Rs 1 crore for Muslims was passed in the assembly amid uproar without debate while the council witnessed a heated discussion before it was cleared.

BJP and JD(S) urged governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot to reject the bill, calling it "unconstitutional" as the quota was religion-based. Calling the Congress move a part of "minority appeasement politics", BJP announced a statewide agitation starting next week. However, law minister H K Patil, who piloted the bill, termed it a step towards social justice.

The suspension of the 18 MLAs in the assembly came a few minutes before the bill was taken up. Announcing the suspension, speaker U T Khader said, "This seat is not just a Chair but a symbol of democracy, truth, and justice. Speaking from it is a matter of pride, and every member must uphold its dignity. Let this be a lesson for us to respect the Constitution and parliamentary traditions."

Despite the suspension, the MLAs refused to leave the House, prompting marshals to physically evict them. The suspended legislators stormed the speaker's podium, tore official documents, and hurled paper pieces at speaker's desk.

Those suspended include BJP chief whip Doddanna Gouda Patil. The protest erupted after the govt declined to order a judicial or CBI probe into cooperation minister KN Rajanna's claims that he and 48 others, including legislators, central leaders, and judges, were targets of a honey-trap attempt.