Maharashtra non-committal on Muslim reservation

A week after withdrawing 5 per cent reservation for Muslims in jobs and education in Maharashtra, the State government has remained non-committal on reintroducing the ordinance providing for the quota in the budget session of the Assembly which will begin from Monday.

“The earlier ordinance was lapsed and we didn’t cancel it. We are in discussion with experts about the issue. A decision will be taken soon,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressing a press conference on the eve of the budget session.

To a question whether the government was planning to reintroduce the ordinance, Mr. Fadnavis said no such decision was taken yet.

“There are conflicting orders from the High Court. At the same time, we are studying a judgment of the Supreme Court on this issue. Any step will be taken only after consultation,” he said.