<p>Abdul Ali Azizi who completed his term at the Commission as its member on October 13, suggested that either such constituencies be de-reserved or minority, particularly Muslims, be given benefits accorded to scheduled castes.<br /><br />"It is surprising and very sad to note that wherever minority population is more than 20-25 per cent, sometimes 30 per cent, these constituencies in Parliament and in the (state) Assembly have been reserved," he told PTI.<br /><br />"So where from minorities will come forward? How will they get a chance for representation?," he asked, describing it as "one of the serious issues".<br /><br />He sought that either such constituencies be "kept open" or by an amendment in the Constitution, "minority, particularly Muslims," be considered as scheduled castes and be given benefits accordingly.<br /><br />Before the amendment in Article 341, Christians and Muslims were in SC and ST categories till 1950. "That should be considered," he suggested.<br /><br />"By embracing to some other religion or by getting converted into other religion his social status is not converted. Person converts to only his concepts and thought but his socio-economic status or political status remains the same," he contended.<br /><br />"It's not only about their education and social status but also their political and economic conditions. Their condition is much more miserable than the Dalits of this country," he added. <br /></p>
<p>Abdul Ali Azizi who completed his term at the Commission as its member on October 13, suggested that either such constituencies be de-reserved or minority, particularly Muslims, be given benefits accorded to scheduled castes.<br /><br />"It is surprising and very sad to note that wherever minority population is more than 20-25 per cent, sometimes 30 per cent, these constituencies in Parliament and in the (state) Assembly have been reserved," he told PTI.<br /><br />"So where from minorities will come forward? How will they get a chance for representation?," he asked, describing it as "one of the serious issues".<br /><br />He sought that either such constituencies be "kept open" or by an amendment in the Constitution, "minority, particularly Muslims," be considered as scheduled castes and be given benefits accordingly.<br /><br />Before the amendment in Article 341, Christians and Muslims were in SC and ST categories till 1950. "That should be considered," he suggested.<br /><br />"By embracing to some other religion or by getting converted into other religion his social status is not converted. Person converts to only his concepts and thought but his socio-economic status or political status remains the same," he contended.<br /><br />"It's not only about their education and social status but also their political and economic conditions. Their condition is much more miserable than the Dalits of this country," he added. <br /></p>