Social media users have claimed that the Karnataka government's state budget has several monetary and other benefits for the Muslim community in the state.
Users highlighted: ₹1,000 crore for minority development, ₹150 crore for Wafq protection, ₹100 crore for Urdu Schools, imam salary increased to ₹6000, self-defence only for girls from minorities and big halls for Muslims in every taluk (administrative district).
Those sharing called it a "Muslim League Budget," giving it a communal undertone.
(Archives of similar claims can be found here and here.)
We received a query about this on our WhatsApp tipline number, as well.
Is the claim true?: No, some of these claims are misleading.
We found out that several of these claims had a communal undertone to claim that the Congress government in the state appeased a particular community.
What we found: We initially ran a keyword search to find Karnataka's budget document for this year.
Following are the misleading bits that we fact-checked:
Salaries of Imams increased: The claim mentions that the government has increased the salaries of the Imams, which are now ₹6,000. However, the salaries of Chief Grantis of the Sikh community and Jain priests have also increased.
Big halls for Muslims in every taluk: The budget document states that these halls will be constructed for 'minority communities,' to organise cultural and social activities. It does not specify the name of any one community. Muslims, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and Zorastrians (Parsis) are the minority communities in Karnataka.
Self defence only for girls from minorities: This skill training would be provided to girls students schools/ colleges run by the 'Directorate of Minorities.'
The directorate works for the different minorities in Karnataka and not just Muslims, as insinuated in the claim.
₹1,000 crore for minority development: Similarly, the ₹,1000 crore is for 'minority development.' It does not specify any religion or a particular community, as the claim insinuates.
Budget about Hindu temples: The Special Capital Assistance Scheme with the expenditure of ₹199 crore, will develop Sri Renuka Yallamma Temple and Devika Rani Roerich Estate. The budget mentions efforts to include Lakkundi Temple on the world heritage list.
Further, under the Bhu-Varaha’ scheme, it will also remove 328 temple encroachments and document immovable assets.
The government servants working in notified institutions under the Endowment Department will be paid from the Consolidated Fund of the state from this year, which were earlier being paid from the state's temple funds.
Additionally, a Karnataka Temples Accommodation Cell will be established.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) have criticised the budget as appeasement of Muslims in the state, accusing the Congress of prioritising the Muslim community over the needs of farmers, youth, and rural areas.
The BJP has particularly criticised the increased funding for Islamic institutions and leaders, calling it a "modern Muslim League budget."
The Congress has defended the budget as a historic and balanced one that caters to the needs of all communities, reported NDTV.
Conclusion: Social media users have spread misleading communal claims about the Karnataka budget.
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