Maharashtra Minority Affairs Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik on 28th February had announced that the government is planning to give 5% reservations to the Muslim community as per the high court order by making a law.
Crux of the Matter
A government’s mantra for minorities, especially Muslims, seems to follow suit as seen with the Modi 1.0 government which took steps like the Hajj scheme, Triple Talaq, Madrasas, Waqf property, etc. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government budget also announced a hefty sum for developing the minority community. On the flip side, CAA has created an apprehensive atmosphere for the Muslim population. The polarization led to communal violence in Delhi, where both the religious groups, Hindus and Muslims have suffered because of the violence.
Divide Before the Conquer In a mixed environment like this, the Maharashtra government is mulling over providing a 5% quota to Muslims in the state. NCP leader Nawab Malik said, “We will try to give 5% reservation to Muslims in education by the end of this assembly session. The previous government, a coalition between the Shiv Sena and the BJP, didn’t give reservation for Muslims despite a court order.” All the parties in the Maha Vikas Aghadi are on different terms in this issue. Nawab Malik also claimed that the Shiv Sena was on board with his decision. Shiv Sena Minister Eknath Shinde did not disclose his party’s stance and said, “I am not aware of the announcement. No decision has been taken yet. Leaders of the MVA will together take a call on all policy decisions about giving reservations to any community.”
Soon after Malik’s statement, VHP tweeted its concern over reservations to Muslims. After which Shiv Sena replied by saying, “No such subject is under discussion.”
महाराष्ट्र सरकार द्वारा मुसलमानों को धर्माधारित आरक्षण की खबरें चिन्ताजनक हैं। शिवसेना के नेतृत्व वाली सरकार द्वारा मुस्लिम तुष्टीकरण की राजनीति नहीं की जानी चाहिए। यही हिन्दू समाज की अपेक्षा है : @MParandeVHP — Vishva Hindu Parishad -VHP (@VHPDigital) February 29, 2020
Political Pragmatism or Following Suit? Political analyst Surendra Jondhale believes that the move by Shiv Sena is being practical. Muslim reservation was pending during the BJP government because the Marathas were pushing strongly for quota. This is the political pragmatism of the Shiv Sena to go with a quota for minorities. A 5% reservation for Muslims would add to the existing quota which is already above the 50% capped by the Supreme Court. Reservations in jobs and education for the Maratha community was given last year by the Fadnavis government. Maharashtra earlier had a 50% reservation in educational institutions and government jobs. After the Bombay High Court in June 2019 allowed 12% and 13% reservation respectively education and jobs for Maratha caste (SEBC) and 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) approved by the Union Cabinet; the reservation has been estimated to reach up to 75% making Maharashtra the state with the highest percentage of reservation in the country.
Curiopedia
The system of reservation in India is designed to promote, or provide opportunities to the various legislatures, to government jobs, and to enrollment in higher educational institutions. The reservation nourishes the historically disadvantaged castes and tribes, listed as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by the Government of India, also those designated as Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) and also the economically backward general. It is intended to realise the promise of equality enshrined in the Constitution. Over the years, the quota categories have been expanded beyond those to the OBCs. It is observed that even after 70 years of reservation the backward classes haven’t been benefitted the way they should have been and reservation keeps getting extended after every 10 years. More Info
Curated Coverage
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