The Karnataka state budget for 2025, presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has ignited a political storm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) branding it a “modern Muslim League Budget” and accusing the Congress of blatant minority appeasement. The opposition claims that while the budget generously allocates funds for minority communities, it neglects Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), sparking concerns over fair governance.
Budget Allocations: A Case of Selective Welfare?
The Congress-led Karnataka government has earmarked a significant portion of the budget for minority welfare. Some of the major allocations include:
- ₹1,000 crore for minority development programs.
- ₹150 crore for the protection and restoration of Waqf properties.
- ₹100 crore for Urdu medium schools.
- ₹6,000 monthly honorarium for Imams.
- Professional fee reimbursement of up to 50% for minority students.
- ₹50 crore for self-defense training exclusively for minority girls.
- ₹50 lakh multipurpose halls in each Taluk for minority use.
- ₹50,000 assistance for simple Muslim weddings.
- 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts.
- Establishment of new ITI colleges in Muslim-dominated areas.
- A new residential PU college for Muslim girls in Ullal town.
BJP’s Outrage: ‘Appeasement at Its Peak’
The BJP has launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka Congress, accusing it of prioritizing Muslims over other marginalized communities. BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya took to social media, stating that the budget reflects Congress’s deep-rooted appeasement politics.
“The Congress government is working only for Muslims, ignoring SCs, STs, and OBCs. Why are Hindu girls not getting self-defense training? Why is there no budget for poor Hindu students?” BJP leaders questioned.
The opposition has further criticized the decision to increase honorariums for Imams while making no such provisions for temple priests or other religious figures from non-Muslim communities.
Congress Defends the Budget
In response to the backlash, Congress leaders have defended the budget, arguing that these allocations are meant to uplift economically weaker sections within minority communities. CM Siddaramaiah clarified that the funds are directed toward inclusive growth and that similar welfare schemes exist for other backward communities.
“The BJP is deliberately twisting facts to create a communal narrative. Our budget is for all communities, and we have separate allocations for SCs, STs, and OBCs,” a Congress spokesperson stated.
Public Reaction: Divided Opinions
The Karnataka budget has drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some hail it as a progressive step toward social equity, others criticize it as an attempt to consolidate the Muslim vote bank ahead of upcoming elections.
Political analysts suggest that this budget could set the tone for electoral strategies in Karnataka, with both Congress and BJP using it as a weapon in their campaigns.
Final Takeaway: Governance or Vote Bank Politics?
As the political drama unfolds, one question remains: Is the Karnataka Congress truly working toward inclusive development, or is this a well-crafted political strategy aimed at securing minority votes? While BJP sees this as “Halal Budgeting”, the Congress maintains that it is a welfare-driven policy.
With elections on the horizon, this budget is likely to remain at the center of Karnataka’s political discourse, shaping voter sentiments in the coming months.