The BJP-Sena government’s explanation that the quota was scrapped because the ordinance granting it had lapsed on the penultimate day of the winter session of assembly has failed to convince the Muslim community.
Gulzar Azmi, State Minority Commission member, said the government’s decision was a “big setback” to the community and exposed the BJP’s slogan Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas .
“How can Muslims come out of backwardness when you deny them legally upheld educational provisions? Can the country move forward when a large population continues to stay backward,” Mr. Azmi asked. If the BJP-Sena government was serious about Muslims’ upliftment, it could have given some sort of reservation on financial grounds. “This should serve as a lesson for Muslims,” he said.
The demand for reservation for Muslims in the State was based on the findings of various government panels, primarily the Sachar and the Mehmood-ur-Rehman committees. The reports found that Muslims make up around 10-12 per cent of Maharashtra’s population, but have little presence in government jobs and educational institutions. Unemployment was high among its youth and they were often subjected to bias, official apathy and police brutality. Around 60% of urban and rural Muslims in Maharashtra live below the poverty line (BPL), and just about 25% of them are marginally above the poverty line. The Mehmood-ur-Rehman committee recommended 8-10 per cent reservation in government jobs.
Reservation for Marathas, on the other hand, has been highly contested and their claims of backwardness fiercely debated. The 22nd report of the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes headed by Justice R.M. Bapat rejected their demand for reservation. That view has been endorsed by numerous other experts.
While the NCP and Congress are now accusing the BJP government of furthering a communal agenda, their commitment to the quota issue appears debatable.
The Mehmood-ur-Rehman committee was constituted and its report was submitted during the NCP-Congress rule, but the parties did not act on it. In the winter session, the NCP-Congress staged a walkout when the Bill on Maratha quota came up for voting, accusing the BJP-Sena regime of discriminatory approach. However, they did not insist on simultaneous passage of the Bills giving reservation to Marathas and Muslims.
