Karnataka Budget 2025: What Muslims, Christians & Other Minorities Are

In a major move aimed at empowering minority communities, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled a slew of initiatives in the state budget for 2025-26, focusing on education, infrastructure, and socio-economic development. The budget, presented on Friday, allocates substantial funds to uplift Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, reflecting the government's commitment to inclusive growth.

Education Takes Center Stage

One of the key highlights of the budget is the emphasis on education for minority communities. The government plans to introduce pre-primary to pre-university (PU) classes in 250 Maulana Azad Model English Medium Schools, modeled after Karnataka Public Schools. A Rs. 500 crore program has been formulated for this purpose, with an initial allocation of Rs. 100 crore for the current year. Additionally, 100 Urdu medium schools with high enrollment will be upgraded to Maulana Azad Public Schools, with Rs. 100 crore allocated for basic facilities and infrastructure improvements.

To support higher education, the budget proposes the establishment of 15 women's colleges on vacant Waqf plots in 2024-25, followed by 16 more in 2025-26. A regional center of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) will also be set up in Haj Bhavan, offering degree and postgraduate courses to minority students deprived of formal education.

Madrasas will receive computers, smart boards, and other necessary facilities to help students prepare for SSLC exams through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Furthermore, a PU college with hostel facilities will be established in Ullal exclusively for minority girl students.

Economic and Social Empowerment

The budget also focuses on economic upliftment and skill development. Minority youth will be encouraged to launch startups through the Karnataka Minority Development Corporation. Career guidance and training for competitive exams will be organized in minority post-matric hostels, while 25,000 girls in minority residential schools and colleges will receive self-defense training.

To promote simple marriages among economically backward minorities, the government will provide Rs. 50,000 per couple to NGOs organizing mass weddings. Additionally, minority students admitted to professional courses through the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) will receive a 50% fee reimbursement, up to Rs. 5 lakh.

Infrastructure and Community Development

Significant allocations have been made for infrastructure development. An action plan worth Rs. 1,000 crore has been prepared under the 'Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme,' with works set to begin in 2025-26. Waqf properties will see Rs. 150 crore allocated for repairs, renovations, and the protection of Muslim burial grounds.

For the Christian community, Rs. 250 crore has been earmarked for development, while Rs. 100 crore will be allocated for the comprehensive development of Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Multi-purpose halls will be constructed across the state at hobli, taluk, and district levels to facilitate cultural and social activities for minority communities.

Religious and Cultural Initiatives

The budget also addresses the needs of religious leaders and institutions. The honorarium for Jain priests, Sikh Granthis, and mosque Pesh-Imams will be increased to Rs. 6,000 per month, while assistant Granthis and Muezzins will receive Rs. 5,000. A Buddhist Study Academy will be established in Bengaluru, and the 100-year-old library at the Mahabodhi Study Centre will be digitized and upgraded at a cost of Rs. 1 crore.

For Sikh communities, Rs. 2 crore has been allocated for infrastructure development in Gurudwaras. Additionally, the ancient Buddhist center of Sannati in Kalaburgi district will see the establishment of a Sannati Development Authority to promote its heritage.

Haj Pilgrimage and Global Exposure

To support Haj pilgrims, an additional building will be constructed in Haj Bhavan, Bengaluru, providing better facilities for pilgrims and their relatives. The National Foreign Student Scholarship for minority students has also been increased from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh, enabling more students to pursue higher education abroad.

Education Initiatives

1.Maulana Azad Model English Medium Schools

• 250 schools to be started on the model of Karnataka Public Schools.
• ₹500 crore allocated, with ₹100 crore set aside for this year.

2. Strengthening Urdu Medium Schools

• 100 high-enrollment schools to be upgraded with ₹100 crore (part of a ₹400 crore plan).
• Schools will be rebranded as Maulana Azad Public Schools.

3. Commerce Stream in Residential Schools

• PU Commerce stream to start in 62 Morarji Desai Residential Schools (for minorities) from 2023-24.

4. Open University Degree Access

• A regional centre of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) to be set up at Haj Bhavan for minority students.

5. Women's Education Support

• 15 women's colleges to be constructed on vacant Waqf land in 2024-25.
• 16 new women's colleges to be started in 2025-26.

6. PU College for Minority Girls in Ullal

• A new PU college with hostel facilities will be set up.

Skill Development & Employment

7. Madrasas Modernization

• Computers, smart boards, and SSLC exam preparation support for madrasa students.

8. Minority Startups Encouraged

• Karnataka Minority Development Corporation to support minority entrepreneurs.

9. ITI Colleges Upgraded

• Additional classes to be introduced in ITIs located in high-minority population areas.

Social & Infrastructure Development

10. Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme

• ₹1,000 crore allocated for infrastructure projects in minority-dominated areas for FY 2025-26.

11. Self-Defense Training for Girls

• 25,000 girl students in 169 residential schools/colleges will receive training.

12. Mass Marriages Support

• ₹50,000 per couple to be provided through NGOs for economically weaker minority communities.

13. Haj Bhavan Expansion

• Additional building to provide facilities for Haj pilgrims and their relatives.

14. Multi-Purpose Halls for Minorities

Halls for cultural/social events to be built:

• ₹50 lakh at the hobli and taluk level.
• ₹1 crore at district headquarters and city corporation areas.

Minority-Specific Development & Welfare

15. Waqf Property Repair & Burial Grounds

• ₹150 crore allocated for maintenance and protection.

16. Career Guidance for Competitive Exams

• Training to be provided in minority post-matric hostels.

17. Religious and Cultural Support

• Jain, Buddhist, Sikh Community Development: ₹100 crore allocated.
• Christian Community Development: ₹250 crore allocated.
• Buddhist Initiatives:

A Buddhist Study Academy to be set up in Bengaluru.
Digitalization of the Mahabodhi Study Centre library at ₹1 crore.
Sannati Development Authority to be established in Kalaburgi.
Sikh Community: ₹2 crore allocated for infrastructure in Gurudwaras.

18. Honorarium Increase for Religious Leaders

• Jain priests, Sikh Chief Granthis, and Pesh-Imams of mosques: ₹6,000/month.
• Assistant Granthis and Muezzins: ₹5,000/month.

19. Higher Education Support

• Minority students will get a 50% fee reimbursement (up to ₹5 lakh) for professional courses through KEA.
• National Foreign Student Scholarship increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.