Union Minority affairs minister K Rahman Khan on Friday stated that as part of its 2009 poll manifesto 4.5 per cent quota has been earmarked for backward Muslims in the existing other backward caste (OBC) reservations and that it was not an appeasement.
“It is not a political game or appeasement as we had promised in our 2009 manifesto. It is part of our manifesto. If you see our manual in 2009, we had promised that if we come back to power, that UPA will implement Karnataka model of reservation. This has been set aside by Andhra Pradesh High Court, and the matter is before the Supreme Court. As far dalit muslims are concerned the matter is before Supreme Court,” Khan said.
In its additional manifesto adopted by the Congress, the party has declared that it will seek to empower minorities.
The Congress has stated that it will work towards earmarking a quota of 4.5 per cent for backward Muslims in the existing other-backward-caste (OBC) reservations.