IUML accuses Kerala govt of misleading HC on minority welfare scheme after court says not legally sustainable

IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, MLA, alleged that the verdict was a fallout of a lapse on the part of the LDF government

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Saturday accused Kerala's LDF government of misinforming the High Court resulting in its order nullifying the prevailing 80:20 proportion in the minority welfare schemes. The schemes were being implemented in the State for the past many years.

The Kerala High Court on Friday quashed State Government Orders, sub-classifying the minorities by providing merit-cum-means scholarship at 80 per cent to Muslim community and 20 per cent to Latin Catholic Christians and Converted Christians, saying it cannot be legally sustained.

Reacting to the High Court verdict, the IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, MLA, and E T Muhammed Basheer, MP, alleged that the verdict was a fallout of a lapse on the part of the LDF government. The Muslim League would appeal against the court order, the leaders said.

The Muslim League is a key partner of the Congress-led UDF in the State. Quashing the state Government Orders, the court has directed the government to pass requisite and appropriate orders, providing merit-cum-means scholarship to members of the notified minority communities within the State equally and in accordance with the latest population census available with the State Minority Commission.

Also Read | Vijayan govt promises to double farmers' income, ensure there are no landless people

Kunhalikutty said the Sachar Commission, which studied the backwardness of the Muslims, had observed that the social status of the Muslim community is below that of the scheduled caste communities. The welfare schemes were introduced exclusively for the Muslims based on the Sachar Commission report, he said.

But the LDF government, headed by V S Achuthanandan in 2011, included the Christians also to benefit from the welfare schemes and introduced 80:20 for Muslims and Christians respectively, the Muslim League leaders said.

Kerala Congress headed by P J Joseph, another partner in the UDF, welcomed the judgement and urged the government to implement it. The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), a body of the Catholic Bishops in Kerala, welcomed the High Court order.

KCBC deputy general secretary Fr Jacob Palackappilly said the church doesn't think that the order is against any community. He said the court has studied, observed and passed the verdict very judiciously.