Author: Abdul Hameed
Publication: TwoCircles.net
Date: May 31, 2009
URL: http://www.twocircles.net/2009may31/maha_muslims_demand_reservation_kerala_andhra_pattern.html
Giving a momentum to the demand for 15% reservation
to Muslims in Maharashtra the Minority Council of Maharashtra (MCM) yesterday
staged a dharna at divisional commissioner office in Aurangabad and handed
over a memorandum to the Chief Minister Ashok Chavan through the divisional
commissioner.
The MCM has demanded that like in Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka and Kerala the Muslims in Maharashtra too be given reservation in
government jobs and higher education. Criticizing the vote bank policy of
political parties regarding minorities MCM said these parties always ignored
the problems of minorities, a reason why Muslim minority is not getting justice,
rights and development.
'The assembly elections are close. The secular
parties including Congress and NCP should include the promise of giving reservation
to Muslims in their manifesto if they want to win,' the group said.
The MCM has demanded reservation for Muslims
while keeping intact the reservation being availed by the OBCs.
Earlier, MCM had taken out a rally on December
21, 2005 on the occasion of the cabinet sessions. Later in January 2006, it
had held a conference to make the government aware of the abysmal condition
of Muslims.
Other Muslim groups have also made the similar
demand.
Movement for Peace and Justice (MPJ) held
on February 13 this year a dharna at Azad Maidan in Mumbai demanding the implementation
of Ranganath Mishra Commission's recommendations for reservation for minorities.
Ranganath Mishra Commission was constituted to look into the problems of all
religious and linguistic minorities. The Ranganath Mishra Commission puts
a stamp on the findings of the Sachar Committee which has revealed that Muslim's
educational, social and economic condition is worse than even Dalits. The
Ranganath Mishra Commission has recommended 15% reservation for minorities:
10% for Muslims, the largest minority and 5% for other minorities as the only
solution to the backwardness of Muslims.
