Muslim leaders in Maharashtra demand reservation in education, Arabic as subject in Urdu-medium school

Mumbai: Muslims would be forced to come to the streets like the Marathas and Dhangars if their demands of restoration of the 5 per cent quota in education in Maharashtra is not met by the government, the community's leaders said. 

The decision of the Muslim community comes at a time when strong protests by the Maratha community demanding reservation and the Dhangar community demanding a change in category from Nomadic Tribes (C) to Scheduled Tribes are raging through the state. Muslim leaders of Maharashtra have threatened agitation if the 5 per cent reservation in education is not restored. 

The Muslim community, under the umbrella of All India Ulema Board (AIUB), whose executive committee meeting was held in Pune, once again put forward the demand. 

The meeting reiterated the long-pending demand of five per cent reservation in education in Maharashtra and made a forceful plea for compulsory teaching of Arabic language in Urdu schools of the state. 

“We have discussed several issues and have made a formal plea to the government to address it…we must tell one and all, that Muslims may not be able to ensure win of someone, but, surely it can defeat anyone…time has come when we cannot turn a blind eye to the needs of the Muslim community,” Saleem Sarang, the chief of AIUB’s Wakf wing, said addressing a press conference. 

Sarang said that he has already sought appointments with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and two Deputy Chief Ministers - Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. 

“So far, there has not been any response from their side. However, we are hopeful that we will be heard,” he said. 

Sarang has decided to take the mission of getting the reservation in education ahead and has started speaking to intellectuals, religious scholars, community leaders and politicians cutting across party lines. “I am speaking about these reservation issues with a broad spectrum of people,” he said and threatened agitation if demands are not met. 

The statement assumes significance in the wake of the ongoing campaign for reservation for the Marathas and change in category of Dhangars from Nomadic Tribes (C) to Scheduled Tribes. 

“Despite the court approving 5 per cent reservation in education for the Muslim community in Maharashtra, to date, no government has seemed eager to implement it,” Sarang said, lashing out at the successive governments.

He also said that today for securing jobs in Gulf countries, the knowledge of Arabic language is an added qualification and increases the weight of the bio-data or curriculum vitae. “Here people speak against the madrasas. However, it may be remembered that the students from Muslim community go here to learn many things including Arabic language,” Sarang further added, saying that all the Urdu schools in the state must introduce Arabic language as a subject.