Fri Mar 07 23:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Budget Sparks Row Over Minority Welfare Allocations

**Bengaluru, India** – The Karnataka state budget, presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has ignited a fierce political debate over its provisions for minority welfare. The budget allocates a significant sum – over ₹1,000 crore – towards various Muslim-centric initiatives, including ₹1,000 crore for minority development, ₹150 crore for Waqf property protection, and ₹100 crore for Urdu schools. Further allocations include a ₹6,000 monthly honorarium for Imams, 4% reservation in public works contracts for Muslims under Category-II B, and financial assistance for Muslim marriages and cultural programs.

The BJP has vehemently criticized these allocations, accusing the Congress government of appeasement politics and prioritizing the Muslim community at the expense of other groups. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya drew parallels to a 2006 statement by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding minority resource allocation, claiming the budget mirrors this approach. The party termed the budget a “Halal Budget” on social media and highlighted the lack of comparable provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). BJP MP PC Mohan further fueled the controversy with a social media post contrasting the minority welfare allocations with what he described as neglect of Hindu communities.

Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan defended the budget allocations, arguing that the amount allocated to minority welfare is proportionate to the Muslim population in the state. He asserted that the BJP’s criticism lacks merit and highlights a lack of understanding of the budgetary allocations.

The controversy underscores the deep-seated political divisions surrounding minority rights and resource allocation in India, and is certain to dominate political discourse in the coming weeks.

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