BJP hails quashing of minorities quota

The Bharatiya Janata Party has welcomed the judgement of the Andhra Pradesh High Court quashing State legislation on reservations for minorities.

Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar blamed the Congress for making false promises to Muslims knowing fully well that any attempt to give reservations to minorities would be unconstitutional and liable to be struck down by courts.

Mr. Jawadekar said he hoped the ruling party would stop attempts to bring reservations for minorities when the Constitution forbids reservations for religious groups.

The BJP had consistently opposed these reservations pointing out those certain backward castes among Muslims and other religious denominations were covered by backward caste reservations. It has also opposed reservations for Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians on the plea that castes were not recognised by those religions while disregarding the fact that such groups continue to face social discrimination.