Bengaluru/IBNS, April 17 -- Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot has sent a bill providing 4 percent reservation to Muslims in government contracts to President Droupadi Murmu for assent, saying that the Constitution doesn't allow for reservations based on religion.

"The proposed amendment, providing 4 per cent reservation to the Backward Class Category-II(B), which includes only Muslims, may be construed as a reservation for the community based on the religion," a statement from the Raj Bhavan said.

The state assembly passed the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (Amendment) Bill, meant to provide 4 percent reservation for Muslims in public contracts, in March.

The two parties even sent a petition to the Governor stating ...