MUMBAI: In a move which could cause discord within the Mahayuti government, deputy CM Ajit Pawar has said that he will talk to CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis about the proposal for 5% reservation for Muslims in educational institutions.
Fadnavis has been vocal about his party BJP’s opposition to religion-based reservations and has said in the past that the Muslim quota would affect OBC and Maratha reservations. With Lok Sabha polls due next year, the Eknath Shinde government will now have to clarify its stand on the issue.
Ajit Pawar made the statement regarding the Muslim quota in a meeting called by him on Thursay to discuss issues relating to the minority community. “The decision on the implementation of the 5% Muslim quota in educational institutions as per the court ruling will be taken after talking to the chief minister and deputy chief minister,” he told the gathering. He also said that a special package will be considered for backward members of the Muslim community.
The quota in education was promised by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2020.
In 2014, the then Congress-NCP government had passed an ordinance allowing for a 5% quota for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions. The Bombay high court, where the decision was challenged, allowed for the quota in the government’s educational institutions but not in jobs. Subsequently, when the BJP-led government was formed in Maharashtra later the same year, it allowed the ordinance to lapse. The MVA in 2020 said it would bring in the quota in education.
In the meeting, Ajit Pawar also said government would increase share capital of Maulana Azad Minorities Finance Development Corporation in stages from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. Also, the government guarantee would be increased from Rs 30 crore to Rs 500 crore. The corporation is aimed at uplift of economically backward sections of the minority community. – TNN
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Fadnavis has been vocal about his party BJP’s opposition to religion-based reservations and has said in the past that the Muslim quota would affect OBC and Maratha reservations. With Lok Sabha polls due next year, the Eknath Shinde government will now have to clarify its stand on the issue.
Ajit Pawar made the statement regarding the Muslim quota in a meeting called by him on Thursay to discuss issues relating to the minority community. “The decision on the implementation of the 5% Muslim quota in educational institutions as per the court ruling will be taken after talking to the chief minister and deputy chief minister,” he told the gathering. He also said that a special package will be considered for backward members of the Muslim community.
The quota in education was promised by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in 2020.
In 2014, the then Congress-NCP government had passed an ordinance allowing for a 5% quota for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions. The Bombay high court, where the decision was challenged, allowed for the quota in the government’s educational institutions but not in jobs. Subsequently, when the BJP-led government was formed in Maharashtra later the same year, it allowed the ordinance to lapse. The MVA in 2020 said it would bring in the quota in education.
In the meeting, Ajit Pawar also said government would increase share capital of Maulana Azad Minorities Finance Development Corporation in stages from Rs 700 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. Also, the government guarantee would be increased from Rs 30 crore to Rs 500 crore. The corporation is aimed at uplift of economically backward sections of the minority community. – TNN
We also published the following articles recently
Reservation for Marathas will not affect OBC quota, Fadnavis assures protesters
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to OBC and Kunbi communities to end their hunger strike, assuring them that the state government will not disturb their reservation to accommodate Marathas. The protesters fear that the Maratha community may be granted the status of Kunbi and be included in the OBC quota. Fadnavis assured that no injustice will be done to the OBC community and stated that a curative petition has been filed in the Supreme Court regarding the Maratha reservation. The Mali community has also opposed the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC quota, arguing that it would be unfair. Kunbi organizations are demanding a written assurance that Marathas will not be given Kunbi caste certificates, while the Marathas are offering to jointly seek a quota hike with the OBCs.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to OBC and Kunbi communities to end their hunger strike, assuring them that the state government will not disturb their reservation to accommodate Marathas. The protesters fear that the Maratha community may be granted the status of Kunbi and be included in the OBC quota. Fadnavis assured that no injustice will be done to the OBC community and stated that a curative petition has been filed in the Supreme Court regarding the Maratha reservation. The Mali community has also opposed the inclusion of Marathas in the OBC quota, arguing that it would be unfair. Kunbi organizations are demanding a written assurance that Marathas will not be given Kunbi caste certificates, while the Marathas are offering to jointly seek a quota hike with the OBCs.
Government Clears Women’s Quota Bill
India has made progress in achieving gender equality with the passing of the Women’s Quota Bill. This legislation is a crucial step towards empowering women and their participation in politics.
India has made progress in achieving gender equality with the passing of the Women’s Quota Bill. This legislation is a crucial step towards empowering women and their participation in politics.
Why BJPs OBC netas mum on no quota for community: SP
The Samajwadi Party has criticized BJP’s OBC parliamentarians and leaders for not speaking up about the demand for OBC quota in the Women’s Reservation Bill. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether they were silent by choice or under pressure from the party leadership. He suggested that OBC quota could be included in the Bill based on caste census, but the BJP-led government does not seem interested in such a move. MP Jaya Bachchan also called for quota within quota for OBCs and emphasized the need for quota for Muslim women.
The Samajwadi Party has criticized BJP’s OBC parliamentarians and leaders for not speaking up about the demand for OBC quota in the Women’s Reservation Bill. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned whether they were silent by choice or under pressure from the party leadership. He suggested that OBC quota could be included in the Bill based on caste census, but the BJP-led government does not seem interested in such a move. MP Jaya Bachchan also called for quota within quota for OBCs and emphasized the need for quota for Muslim women.
