The statement from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, indicating that “the Congress will amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims,” created a stir in Parliament on Monday, leading to multiple adjournments in both Houses, with the Rajya Sabha unable to conduct any business.

When the Rajya Sabha convened for the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju raised concerns about the Congress’s alleged attempt to undermine the Constitution through religion-based reservations. This sparked a heated exchange between the ruling and Opposition parties over the issue of Muslim reservations for public contracts in Karnataka, resulting in the Rajya Sabha being adjourned until 2 PM.

BJP’s National President and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda, strongly condemned the Congress, asserting that their move to introduce religion-based reservations conflicts with the principles laid out by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constitution. He accused the Congress of attempting to undermine and rewrite the Constitution for political advantage, warning that such actions threaten secularism and national unity.

Nadda stated, “The Congress party’s effort to implement religion-based reservations contradicts the core tenets established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In Karnataka, the Congress has already instituted a 4% reservation based on religion in public contracts. More alarming is Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar’s open assertion that they would amend the Constitution to push their divisive agenda. This blatant manipulation for political gain jeopardizes India’s unity.”

He further remarked, “DK Shivakumar has claimed that the Constitution was established by the Congress and that they will be responsible for any changes to it. There is no sign of remorse.” Nadda demanded accountability from Congress President and Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge.

In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju reiterated that the Congress is trying to undermine the Constitution through its call for religion-based reservations. Kharge retorted by asserting that it is the BJP that is subverting the Constitution to create division, while the Congress is working to uphold it. His speech was interrupted by protests from BJP members, with disruptions escalating when Kharge mentioned the Congress’s “Bharat Jodo Yatra” aimed at protecting the Constitution.

Rijiju accused the Congress of tarnishing the Constitution’s reputation while discussing the Muslim reservation issue and called for Shivakumar’s resignation, stating, “A senior Congress leader has claimed they intend to amend the Constitution to provide reservations for Muslims. This is a serious statement that cannot be overlooked.”

The proceedings in the upper house saw numerous adjournments before finally concluding for the day amid turmoil. Rijiju also addressed Shivakumar’s remarks in the Lok Sabha, where he claimed the Congress leader intended to grant Muslims reservations by amending the Constitution. This led to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha until 2 PM after Speaker Om Birla disallowed Samajwadi members from displaying posters.

In Karnataka, DK Shivakumar threatened legal action against BJP leaders for distorting his comments and conducting a misinformation campaign against him. When approached by reporters at his residence, he emphatically denied ever stating that “we would change the Constitution.” Shivakumar asserted, “The BJP is engaging in propaganda. I will respond legally,” maintaining that his comments were factual. “What I said was that there is a precedent for changing the Constitution based on court rulings. I have never claimed we will alter the Constitution. The Congress, as the originator of the Constitution, values it more than anyone else. The central government has failed the people with the recent Budget and is now trying to divert attention to other issues. This is part of the BJP’s ongoing political conspiracy,” he concluded.