Will exclude Muslims from the list of minorities if I become the Chief Minister : Basangouda Patil Yatnal

Statement by suspended BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal from Karnataka

Vijayapura (Karnataka) – The population of Muslims is increasing significantly, and it is wrong to consider them as a minority. If I become the Chief Minister of the State, I will exclude Muslims from the list of minorities in the very first meeting of my cabinet, said suspended BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal. “I am firm on this decision, and I will definitely implement this decision if I get power,” he emphasized. He was speaking at a programme here.

🚨 “If I become Chief Minister, I will remove Muslims from the minority list!”
– @BasanagoudaBJP Patil Yatnal

The time has come to clearly define who qualifies as a “minority” in India.

📊 In 2011, Muslims were ~14% of the population. With steady growth over the past 15 years,… pic.twitter.com/Ox8bnxRglr

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) April 3, 2026

MLA Yatnal further said that there should be equal law for everyone in India. There is no need to give special concessions or status to a particular group.

Editorial Perspectives

It is now necessary to define who should be called a ‘minority’ in this country. It is necessary to clarify what should be the population of a religious group to be categorized as a ‘minority’.
According to the 2011 census, Muslims constitute 14 percent of the population in the country; however, since their population has increased in the last 15 years, it is likely to be more than 20 percent, so it would not be wrong if someone were to demand that they be removed from the list of minorities.