Delhi CM attends Iftar party, says such programs strengthen 'unity and harmony' in society
New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday attended an Iftar programme hosted by Delhi BJP's Minority Morcha at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, saying that such programmes strengthen "unity and harmony" in the society.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, along with several BJP leaders, also attended the programme.
"Got the opportunity to share the message of harmony and unity with all the brothers and sisters in the 'Dawat-e-Iftar' program organised by BJP Minority Morcha (Delhi State). Our culture is a symbol of mutual respect, love, and harmony, and such programs further strengthen unity and harmony in society," Gupta said in a post on X.
This was the second Iftar program attended by the BJP leaders after the party formed the government in Delhi, ending the decade-long rule of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in the Assembly elections last month.
Earlier, Chief Minister Gupta, Rijiju, and other party leaders attended an Iftar hosted by the Delhi Haj Committee on Saturday.
Muslims, holding fast during the holy month of Ramadan, break their fast together in the evening at Iftar gatherings.
Rijiju, in a post on X, said that the gathering of Iftar "beautifully reflected the essence of this holy month. A truly special evening celebrating unity, generosity, and shared blessings."
Minority Morcha's national president Jamal Siddiqui, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood, Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad, international Kho Kho player Nasreen Sheikh, former Union Ministers Shahnawaz Hussain and Harsh Vardhan, among others, attended the program.
Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President Anees Abbasi emphasised that Ramadan is a sacred month of devotion, during which Muslims observe fasting and pray for communal harmony and the country’s prosperity.
He stated that the Roza Iftar event was organized with the same spirit, aiming to collectively pray for a developed Delhi and contribute to realising the Prime Minister's vision.
भाजपा अल्पसंख्यक मोर्चा (दिल्ली प्रदेश) द्वारा आयोजित ‘दावत-ए-इफ्तार’ कार्यक्रम में सभी भाई-बहनों के साथ मिलकर सौहार्द और एकता का संदेश साझा करने का अवसर मिला।
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) March 16, 2025
इस आयोजन में केंद्रीय मंत्री श्री @KirenRijiju जी और कैबिनेट में साथी श्री @ashishsood_bjp जी भी उपस्थित रहे। हमारी… pic.twitter.com/a89Vhd9kAr
An evening of togetherness in the spirit of Ramzan. Attended the Dawat-e-Iftar at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on the invitation of Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President @AnishAbbasi ji.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 16, 2025
Joined by Hon'ble CM Smt @gupta_rekha ji, the gathering beautifully reflected… pic.twitter.com/4uAIeHHsX6
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4% quota for Muslim contractors: BJP to challenge K'taka's 'unconstitutional move' in court
New Delhi/Bengaluru, Mar 17 (PTI): The BJP on Monday termed the Karnataka government’s proposal to provide four per cent reservation to Muslims in government contracts an "unconstitutional misadventure" and said it will oppose the move at all levels, including challenging it in court, until it is rolled back.
The ruling Congress in Karnataka and the BJP hit out at each other over the issue in the Assembly.
Earlier on Friday, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, reserving four per cent of contracts for Muslims in civil works valued up to Rs two crore and goods/services contracts up to Rs one crore.
"The BJP firmly opposes the proposed unconstitutional move and demands that the Siddaramaiah government immediately roll it back," BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who represents the Bangalore South Lok Sabha seat, told a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
He alleged that the Siddaramaiah-led government’s decision was a "calculated move" to appease Muslims, "at the direction and patronage of the Congress top leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi."
"This patently unconstitutional and prima facie illegal act will be challenged in court. The BJP will fight against the move both inside the Assembly and on the streets. We will also raise the issue in Parliament and protest outside it," Surya said.
The BJP MP said that the Karnataka government’s move is a threat to national integrity, unity, and sovereignty.
"We will fight and oppose this in the courtroom. We will take the fight to the people of Karnataka. Until this unconstitutional move is rolled back, the BJP’s fight will continue," he added.
Meanwhile, in the Karnataka Assembly, the ruling Congress and the BJP once again sparred on Monday over the budgetary provision of four per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts.
The Congress rejected the BJP’s allegation that religion-based reservation is "against constitutional provisions."
Defending the reservation, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists are citizens of this country.
"We have concerns for minorities and backward communities. When the BJP says it wants to take everyone along, let it appoint Christian and Muslim ministers. Only then does BJP state president B Y Vijayendra have the right to speak about equality. Let him read the state anthem written by Kuvempu—then he will understand what makes Karnataka a peaceful garden," Shivakumar told reporters.
Hitting back at Shivakumar, Vijayendra said that it was the BJP government, not the Congress, that had appointed Dr A P J Abdul Kalam as the President of India.
"We appointed Najma Heptulla, Justice Abdul Nazeer, and Arif Mohammed Khan as governors. Musician Ustad Bismillah Khan was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna by the BJP government," Vijayendra told reporters.
According to him, Congress's appeasement politics is not new.
He questioned the Congress party’s concern for Dalits, asking where it was when its MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy’s house was "torched by Muslim hooligans".
The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, claimed that several Supreme Court judgments have stated that there is no provision in the Constitution for religion-based reservations.
"Yet, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wore a ‘topi’ (skull cap), organised Tipu Jayanti, and introduced Shaadi Bhagya (launched in 2013, it provides financial assistance to economically backward minority women). He gave grants to Muslims beyond what they had asked for. Now, by offering four per cent reservation in contracts to Muslims, the Congress government has made an assault on Hindus," he alleged.
Ashoka argued that there had never been a religion-based contract system in Karnataka, but the government had introduced one, which could lead to conflicts between communities.
In the Karnataka Legislative Council, Leader of the Opposition, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy raised the issue.
He said that religion-based reservation is "not allowed under the Constitution."
"You have granted four per cent reservation to Muslims in contracts. We oppose religion-based reservations. I urge the government through you not to implement it," he stated.
Countering him, Congress MLA B K Hariprasad asserted that the reservation aligns with constitutional provisions.
