Muslims asked to identify as a caste, mark Islam as religion in K'taka's social, educational survey
Bengaluru: Top Muslim leaders have reportedly decided that their community members must identify themselves as a 'Muslim' caste under the religion of ‘Islam’ during the Social and Educational Survey starting September 22.
The directive was made during a late-night meeting on Thursday, chaired by Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, as reported by Deccan Herald.
The meeting also included Haj Minister Rahim Khan, Government Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed, retired IAS officer LK Atheeq, and MLA Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, Bengaluru Jamia Masjid’s Imam Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi among others.
“We have asked all our community members to participate. During the survey, it was decided that our members should identify ‘Islam’ as religion, ‘Muslim’ as the caste and sub-castes wherever applicable,” DH quoted Saleem Ahmed as saying.
The decision is intended to help Muslims in Karnataka retain their reservation benefits. The ‘Muslim’ community in Karnataka comes under Category-2B with a 4% reservation. Sub-castes like Pinjara and Nadaf come under Category-1, which also has a 4% reservation.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has recommended an increase in the reservation for Muslims under Category-2B, from 4% to 8%. Saleem Ahmed stressed that identifying sub-castes is critical, as many are linked to specific professions. “If those Muslims who come under Category-1 don’t specify the sub-caste, then they may be put under Category-2B,” he said.
The previous BJP government had decided to scrap the 4% quota for Muslims, citing that religion-based reservations were unconstitutional. However, the decision was challenged in the Supreme Court and was not implemented. The current Congress-led government maintains that the reservation is based on backwardness as a social class rather than religion. The 2015 survey found that Muslims were the most backward community in terms of livelihood.
Meanwhile, the state government issued an order on Friday directing a comprehensive survey of the social and educational conditions of citizens across Karnataka. According to the order, the exercise will be conducted by the State Backward Classes Commission between September 22 and October 7.
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Budget 2026-27 directionless, visionless; nothing for Bengal in it: Mamata
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday described the Union Budget for 2026-27 as "directionless, visionless and anti-people”, which had nothing on offer for her state.
Banerjee, speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport before leaving for New Delhi, also claimed that the Budget had nothing for the common man.
"This Budget is directionless, visionless, actionless and anti-people. It is also anti-women, anti-farmer, anti-education and against the SC, ST and OBC... There is nothing on offer for Bengal in the Budget," she alleged.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day.
