May 28 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
MUSLIM SUB-QUOTA HITS NDA WALL Subodh Ghildiyal
New Delhi:
TNN
Ministers Say Law Unconstitutional
With the advent of the Narendra Modi government, it may well be the end of ‘Muslim quota’ promulgated by Congress.
Social justice minister Thavarchand Gehlot told TOI that the BJP government was opposed to the 4.5% sub-quota for minorities because it was reservation based on religion which was “unconstitutional”.
Minority affairs minister Najma Heptulla also said she was opposed to minority reservation because quota killed the “spirit of competition”.
These remarks indicate that the Centre may not stick to its previous aggressive stance to fi ght the quota case in the Supreme Court where it is awaiting review. The sub-quota was struck down by the Andhra Pradesh high court following which the
Centre had fi led for review in the apex court.
If the upfront opposition from the newly-appointed BJP ministers is any indication, the Centre may reverse its stance or even withdraw the review petition from the apex court.
The comments from Gehlot and Heptulla indicate that both ministries, which powered the subquota, appear set to renege on the stance taken by them under the UPA.
In December 2011, the Centre carved out a 4.5% quota within the 27% res
ervation available to OBCs.
The sub-quota was earmarked for backward communities belonging to religious minorities who are part of the OBC list.
While the sub-quota caters to all religious minorities including Sikhs, Parsis, Christians and Buddhists, it has come to be known as ‘Muslim quota’ because Congress planned to win over the largest minority community with the policy. The quota was announced before the assembly election in UP and Rahul Gandhi made it the principal campaign is
sue in his speeches, fl agging it as evidence of Congress’s concern for Muslims.
While Heptullah decried reservation as being “no solution to deprivation”, social justice minister Gehlot was combative, telling TOI that 4.5% sub-quota smacked of reservation based on religion. “It is not allowed by the Constitution and BJP is against it,” he said.
Gehlot said the sub-quota for “minorities” was “unnecessary” because backward communities among all religious groups were part of the OBC list and availed the 27% reservation provision in jobs and education.
Indicating that this could be the end of the sub-quota, Gehlot said giving benefi ts based on Sachar Commission and Ranganath Mishra Commission, the key reference points under UPA, were a bad idea. “They are not required,” he said.
MUSLIM SUB-QUOTA HITS NDA WALL Subodh Ghildiyal
New Delhi:
TNN
Ministers Say Law Unconstitutional
With the advent of the Narendra Modi government, it may well be the end of ‘Muslim quota’ promulgated by Congress.
Social justice minister Thavarchand Gehlot told TOI that the BJP government was opposed to the 4.5% sub-quota for minorities because it was reservation based on religion which was “unconstitutional”.
Minority affairs minister Najma Heptulla also said she was opposed to minority reservation because quota killed the “spirit of competition”.
These remarks indicate that the Centre may not stick to its previous aggressive stance to fi ght the quota case in the Supreme Court where it is awaiting review. The sub-quota was struck down by the Andhra Pradesh high court following which the
Centre had fi led for review in the apex court.
If the upfront opposition from the newly-appointed BJP ministers is any indication, the Centre may reverse its stance or even withdraw the review petition from the apex court.
The comments from Gehlot and Heptulla indicate that both ministries, which powered the subquota, appear set to renege on the stance taken by them under the UPA.
In December 2011, the Centre carved out a 4.5% quota within the 27% res
ervation available to OBCs.
The sub-quota was earmarked for backward communities belonging to religious minorities who are part of the OBC list.
While the sub-quota caters to all religious minorities including Sikhs, Parsis, Christians and Buddhists, it has come to be known as ‘Muslim quota’ because Congress planned to win over the largest minority community with the policy. The quota was announced before the assembly election in UP and Rahul Gandhi made it the principal campaign is
sue in his speeches, fl agging it as evidence of Congress’s concern for Muslims.
While Heptullah decried reservation as being “no solution to deprivation”, social justice minister Gehlot was combative, telling TOI that 4.5% sub-quota smacked of reservation based on religion. “It is not allowed by the Constitution and BJP is against it,” he said.
Gehlot said the sub-quota for “minorities” was “unnecessary” because backward communities among all religious groups were part of the OBC list and availed the 27% reservation provision in jobs and education.
Indicating that this could be the end of the sub-quota, Gehlot said giving benefi ts based on Sachar Commission and Ranganath Mishra Commission, the key reference points under UPA, were a bad idea. “They are not required,” he said.
