Maharashtra: Trustee of Haji Ali Dargah says 5 per cent dreams are not worth dreaming

- Following the recommendations of several commissions and committees, the Congress government made provision for reservations for the Muslim community during 2014.

New delhi date. Friday, July 02, 2021

After the Maratha reservation in Maharashtra, now there is a commotion over the Muslim reservation. Haji Ali Dargah trustee Suhail Khandwani's statement has caused such a stir. He said Muslims do not see a 5 per cent reserve in education and jobs in the state. If the government really wants the interest of Muslims, then arrangements should be made to give reservations to Muslims in the realm of the Indian Constitution. However, people associated with the Muslim community expressed displeasure over the statement. Some Muslim leaders called it a personal opinion of Khandwani.

It was learned that Khandwani had expressed displeasure over the politics being played out over the Muslim reservation. He said it was not appropriate for Muslims to dream of an additional 5 per cent if there could be no more than 50 per cent reserves. The government should decide how to uplift the Muslim community in a 50 per cent reserve. Even the Muslim community should not waste their energy and time for the 5 per cent reserve. He should ensure that he gets a share in the 27 per cent OBC reserve.

Former state minister Mohammad Arif Naseem Khan retaliated on the issue. He said it was a personal opinion of the Khandwani to take 5 per cent reservation to Muslims. Following the recommendations of several commissions and committees, the Congress government made provision for reservations for the Muslim community during 2014. The High Court also allowed the Muslim community to reserve. Muslims were reserved not on the basis of religion but on the basis of backwardness.

Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar MLA Abu Asim Azmi also expressed displeasure over non-availability of reservations to Muslims. "We are demanding reservations for every caste in the Muslim community on the basis of economic backwardness," he said. The Bombay High Court has also ruled on the 5 per cent reservation. The Congress and NCP governments made this reservation provision. In these circumstances he should put up excuses and take appropriate action for the Muslim reserve.