Showdown in Parliament Over DK Shivakumar's Remarks on Constitutional Change for Muslim Reservation

New Delhi: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's controversial remarks on the four percent reservation to Muslims and other minorities, has caused a massive showdown in the Parliament today, with key BJP leaders questioning the Congress over its anti-Constitution stand.

While Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has challenged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to demand the Karnataka Deputy CM's resignation, the latter has issued another statement, defending his ‘constitution will be changing’ remark and alleging that he has been misquoted.

Also Read: Karnataka Congress Vs Rashmika Mandanna: Kangana Ranaut's Sharp Reply To Deputy CM Shivakumar For Threatening Artists

Parliament Showdown Over DK Shivakumar's Remarks on Constitutional Change for Muslim Reservation

DK Shivakumar's remarks have been opposed in the Parliament today, with top BJP leaders including JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his thoughts on the issue, “...Nobody can change the constitution drafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Nobody can finish the reservation. To protect it, we did Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. They (points at NDA MPs) break India.”

'Congress Giving Reservations on Public Contracts': JP Nadda

Union Health Minister and BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda has condemned DK Shivakumar's remarks and has said, "Congress claims to defend the Constitution but they always make an attempt to change it." He further alleged, "They are giving reservations on public contracts, this is a serious matter. Such a law should should be withdrawn and a discussion should take place."

BJP leader Sambit Patra has also spoken against DK Shivakumar's remarks, “The real face of Congress has been exposed. DK Shivakumar is considered to be very close to Rahul and he hesitates to talk about changing the constitution. This is a mockery and tampering with the Constitution. Nehru ji himself divided Maa Bharati into two parts to make someone the Prime Minister and because Rahul Gandhi is politically unfit, he is plotting to become a leader by changing the constitution of the country.”

‘Suspend DK Shivakumar or…’: Kiren Rijiju's Challenge to Congress

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has also made strong statements in the Parliament over DK Shivakumar's controversial statement; he said, "His (DK Shivakumar's) statement is very clear that they want to give reservation to Muslims by changing the Constitution and in the past also, they have changed the Constitution. There should not be reservation on the basis of religious identity; the Congress President must clear his stand, they cannot go both sides but Congress senior leaders have clearly said that they will give reservation to Muslims."

He added, "They should suspend DK Shivakumar or they must clear that they are in favour to give reservation to Muslims; I had no intention to cause unrest and there will be no reservation on the basis of religion. No one can change the Constitution of India and they are disrespecting the Constitution by making drama with Babasaheb Ambedkar's picture and carrying it around. Our demand is that they should suspend him."

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Defends His Statement, Alleges Being Misquoted

Defending his earlier statement, DK Shivakumar said, “I am a sensible, senior politician, than Mr Nadda. I have been in the Assembly since the last 36 years. I have a basic common sense. I have said casually that there will be so many changes after various judgements. As per the quota of the backwards classes, reservation has been given. I have not said that we are going to change Constitution. Whatever they are quoting is wrong. They are miscarrying it. We are a national party...It is our party that brought Constitution to this country...I will take  breach of privilege on this. I will fight a case. They are misquoting me.”

The Karnataka Deputy CM's statement that caused this massive controversy was made at a media event on Sunday, where he spoke about the bill that ensures four percent reservation to Muslims in public contracts in Karnataka. While talking about the bill, Shivakumar said that there are a lot of changes and the "Constitution will be changing".