Muslim quota evokes mixed reaction in UP
Reservation for the backward Muslims under the OBC quota has evoked mixed reactions in Uttar Pradesh, with a section of the Muslim clerics welcoming the decision while the political parties, barring the Congress, either termed it “political stunt” or “insufficient”.
Reservation for the backward Muslims under the OBC quota has evoked mixed reactions in Uttar Pradesh, with a section of the Muslim clerics welcoming the decision while the political parties, barring the Congress, either termed it “political stunt” or “insufficient”.
The prestigious Islamic seminary Darul Uloom in Deoband has welcomed the move, saying it was a long-pending demand of Muslims.
It, however, said the reservation should have been in accordance with the size of the population of Muslims in the country.
Well known Sunni cleric and senior member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), an apex body of Muslims in the country, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangimahali also hailed the decision to give 4.5 per cent reservation to the backward Muslims saying it would help the community.
No good
Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, however, termed the decision as “election stunt” and said it was not going to do any good to the community.
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan echoed the sentiment. He said the Congress had always “cheated” the Muslims and demanded reservation for the community in proportion to its population.
CPM leader Prakash Karat said the UPA government’s move was made with an eye on the forthcoming election to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.
He is also critical of the quantum of the quota, stating that it was “insufficient”.
BJP leaders also decried the decision and said it was aimed at “appeasing” the Muslim community ahead of the Assembly polls with the objectives of gaining its support.
