New Delhi, 23 April

State’s decision to categorise Muslim community as a backward caste for reservation purposes has drawn criticism from National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). It said such blanket categorisation undermines social justice.

According to the data submitted by the Karnataka Backward Classes Welfare Department, all castes and communities within the Muslims are enlisted as socially and educationally backward classes under Category IIB in the State List of Backward Classes.

The NCBC, during a field visit last year, examined the state's reservation policy for OBCs in educational institutions and government jobs.

This categorisation has led to the provision of reservation benefits for 17 socially and educationally backward castes under Category I and 19 castes under Category II-A, respectively.

The NCBC said this will affect the marginalised Muslim castes and communities identified as socially and educationally backward. NCBC claims treating the entire religion as backward overlooks the diversity and complexities within the society.

NCBC also voiced concern over the impact of such reservations on the overall framework of social justice, particularly in the context of local body polls. Karnataka provides 32 per cent reservation to backward classes in local body elections, including Muslims.

According to the 2011 Census, Muslims constitute 12.92 per cent of the population in Karnataka. -PTI