Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 31: The Rajya Sabha witnessed a stormy session after BJP MP K. Laxman alleged that several States were misusing the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota by including Muslim communities, triggering protests and a walkout by Opposition members.

Laxman claimed that States such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Telangana—all ruled by Opposition parties—had extended OBC reservations to Muslims in violation of constitutional provisions.

Arguing that reservations cannot be granted on religious grounds, he cited B. R. Ambedkar’s views, stating that affirmative action must be based on social and educational backwardness.

“Reservations meant for socially and educationally backward OBCs are now being extended on the basis of religion,” Laxman said, alleging that such moves were driven by vote-bank politics and deprived genuinely backward communities of their rightful share.

He further claimed that Karnataka provides a 4% quota treating the entire Muslim community as a single category, while West Bengal has included a large proportion of Muslim communities in the OBC list. Similar benefits, he alleged, have been extended in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, while Telangana’s attempt to grant a separate quota was struck down by the High Court.

Calling for a comprehensive review, Laxman urged the Centre to ensure that reservations remain based on backwardness rather than religion.

His remarks sparked strong protests from Opposition members, who attempted to counter him in the House. With Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan not allowing interruptions and Laxman continuing his speech, Opposition MPs staged a walkout.

Backing Laxman, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda accused the Opposition of disrupting proceedings and abandoning parliamentary decorum. He alleged that the Congress-led alliance had long pursued appeasement and vote-bank politics.