Maharashtra announces 5% quota to Muslims in education

Even as tensions are yet to subside over the targeted attacks against Muslim communities in northeast Delhi, the Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi government has proposed to extend five per cent reservation to Muslims in educational institutes, Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said in Mumbai on Friday.

Further, a bill in this regard will be tabled during the budget session of the Maharashtra assembly, Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said. The state government will ensure that a legislation to this effect is passed soon, the minister informed the State Legislative Council.

The NCP minister also assured the House of taking "appropriate action" in this regard before beginning of admissions in schools. Malik was responding to a question raised by Congress legislator Sharad Ranpise.

Muslim reservation was one of the promises of the grand alliance's common minimum programme. In addition, Malik, also hinted at making room for reservation in jobs and the government is seeking legal advice for it. 

Earlier this month, another minister and Congress leader Aslam Shaikh had hinted the Uddhav Thackeray-led government would soon bring in Muslim reservation. However, BJP leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said the BJP will oppose the 5 per cent reservation that is given on the basis of religion.

In June 2014, a few months before the assembly election, the then Congress-NCP dispensation had approved five per cent reservation for Muslims in government service and education, and also issued an ordinance to that effect. However, the ordinance lapsed after the BJP-led government was formed in the state in October that year. 

While the Bombay High Court later gave a green signal for giving quota to Muslims in education, no further decision was taken by the previous Fadnavis government.