Overview

• The Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill proposes a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts valued up to ₹1 crore.
• Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot invoked Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution to reserve the Bill for President Droupadi Murmu's assent, citing constitutional concerns.
• Gehlot argued that religion-based quotas violate Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution, which ensure equality and prohibit discrimination.
• The BJP has strongly opposed the Bill, describing it as unconstitutional and alleging it represents appeasement politics by the Congress government.
• The Bill’s fate now hinges on the President’s decision, with potential judicial challenges expected depending on the outcome.