The Samajwadi Party may have promised 18% reservation for Muslims in UP, but the same is not possible nationally. Speaking on the subject, vice-chancellor designate of Nalsar Prof Faizan Mustafa said here on Monday that while reservation based on religion is not unconstitutional, a blanket reservation for the entire Muslim community is not justified.
At a seminar on ‘Reservation for Muslims in India: A Step Towards Inclusive Development’ held at Manuu, various speakers said that 80 per cent Muslims are already covered as backward class (BC) which was fine given that the remaining 20 per cent form the community’s creamy layer.
“Since minorities are defined at the provincial level, the 18% reservation for Muslims on an all-India level is not possible. It is UP’s reality, i.e. at the state level,” said Prof Mustafa. While the Sachar Committee report adequately demonstrates the socio-economic status of SCs, STs and OBC and Muslims, it is not explicit on the issue of reservation. “Reservation should not be given to the entire Muslim community as it could be challenged in courts,” he said. However, he noted that reservation for Muslim will promote social justice and enable equality of status and opportunities.
Former advisor to the state government P S Krishnan noted that ‘two extreme positions’ are taken on the issue of reservation for BCs from the Muslim community. One is that since Islam doesn’t recognise caste, no Muslim should be given reservation, and the other is that all Muslims should be given reservation. As per the current BC calculation, the Muslim community accounts for 13.43 per cent of the total 27 per cent BCs. Christians account for 2.4% and Sikhs 2%.
He further added that Islamic conquest of India came as a form of emancipation for the oppressed. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he added, “The Mohammedan conquest of India came as a salvation to the downtrodden, to the poor. That is why one-fifth of our population have become Mohammedans. It would be the height of madness to think it was all the work of sword and fire.”
Prof Mustafa, also the vice-chancellor of National Law University, Orissa, further added, “Article 15 permits the state to decide which community is backward and it is the opinion of the state which is crucial in this matter.”
–Courtesy:TOi