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Karnataka Approves 4% Reservation for Muslim Contractors in Government Tenders

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The Karnataka Congress government has provided a fresh opportunity for the right-wing narrative in India by approving a 4% reservation for Muslim contractors in government tenders during its cabinet meeting on Saturday.

This proposal, which was first suggested in Chief Minister S. Siddaramaiah’s budget speech and is now part of the cabinet’s decisions, seeks to enhance participation from the minority community in government contracts. The meeting also addressed various proposals, including the establishment of a special fund worth Rs 100 crore to promote the startup ecosystem.

Following the announcement of the reservation policy, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched significant protests, with party leaders criticizing Congress for its perceived appeasement of minorities. Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad remarked, “The Congress seems to have learned nothing from its electoral defeats.”

He emphasized that, while the matter concerns Karnataka, it has larger implications for the country and reflects the mindset of Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi. Prasad reiterated that the BJP stands firmly against religion-based reservations and will persist in its opposition.

The Karnataka Cabinet approved modifications to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act to implement a 4% reservation for Muslim contractors in government contracts, aiming to improve minority representation and tackle socio-economic inequalities. However, this move has ignited a political discourse.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified that this 4% reservation is intended for all minority entrepreneurs, not solely Muslims. The cabinet’s decisions were announced by MB Patil.

Among the first to criticize Congress’s policy was young MP Tejasvi Surya from South Bengaluru, who described the government’s initiative as a constitutional infringement and a promotion of conversion. He argued that social and economic disadvantages should be the criteria for reservations, not religion, and condemned the Congress for using public resources for political gain.

Additionally, the Karnataka cabinet approved an amendment to the KTPP Act allowing Muslim contractors to access government contracts up to ₹1 crore on par with Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) contractors. This decision was criticized by BJP Karnataka unit president BY Vijayendra, who pointed out that Congress’s focus on Muslim votes has led to reservations in jobs and education that violate constitutional principles. He voiced concerns over this trend now extending to Muslim contractors.

In addition to the 4% reservation for minorities in government contracts, the cabinet also approved the regularization of unauthorized properties in rural areas and agreed to implement structural changes to the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), for which an expert panel will be formed. A search committee will also be established to oversee the appointment of new KPSC members to enhance transparency in the state’s administrative recruitment processes.

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MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel

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New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.

According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.

The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.

The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.

Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.

In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.

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8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire

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Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.

Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.

Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.

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75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon

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Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.

The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”

However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.

Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.

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