Records indicate that the reservation for Muslims under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota in Karnataka was first implemented by the government of HD Deve Gowda's Janata Dal in 1995. This decision, which granted four percent reservation to Muslims under a distinct classification within the OBC quota, came following the recommendations of the Chinnappa Reddy Commission Report and adhered to the Supreme Court's directive to cap overall reservations at 50 percent.
The Veerappa Moily-led Congress government had initially announced a six percent reservation in Category 2B, identified as "More Backward," for Muslims, Buddhists, and Scheduled Caste converts to Christianity. However, this reservation was challenged in the Supreme Court, which directed the Karnataka government to limit overall reservations to 50 percent. The Congress government collapsed before implementing the order, and HD Deve Gowda became Chief Minister.
In February 1995, HD Deve Gowda implemented the previous government's quota decision with amendments according to the Supreme Court's interim verdict. Under this implementation, Muslims were granted four percent reservation under the 2B quota, which applied to educational institutions and state government jobs.
Despite subsequent changes in government, including coalitions and BJP-led administrations, no modifications were made to this classification. In 2019, the BJP government proposed abolishing the OBC quota for Muslims and including them in the quota for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). However, this proposal faced opposition and legal challenges, leading to its shelving.
The Karnataka government's decision to scrap the OBC quota for Muslims was challenged in the Supreme Court, which halted its implementation, maintaining the status quo in reservations for the backward class community.
