Leaders of the Muslim community in Karnataka have called for an increase in the Muslim quota from the current 4 per cent to 7 per cent.
Currently, Muslims are categorised under 2B, which is the only community under the classification of the state’s Other Backward Classes (OBCs) list.
The Muslim community has 17 sub-sects. While it is entitled to 4% reservation in education and jobs, it comes under Category B for political reservation and is entitled to 20% of the overall 27% representation for OBCs in local bodies such as Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Recently, the Justice K Bhaktavatsala committee submitted its report on the political reservation to the state, recommending a one-third or 33 per cent reservation for other backward classes (OBC) in local body elections.
The committee had noted that Muslims are the only community among minorities which enjoys political reservation. Muslim leaders, however, pointed out that the quantum of the reservation is too little compared to the population of the community in the country. They claim that they account for nearly 15% of the total population in Karnataka and hence want the government to rectify the disparity by increasing the quota.
Abdul Jabbar Kalaburgi, state convener, Karnataka Muslim Unity (KMU), told the Times of India, “The concept of social justice will make sense only if a minority community, such as Muslims, is given adequate opportunities proportionate to its population. A quota of 7% is the least Muslims are entitled to in the given situation.”
Kalaburgi said that KMU representatives are framing a memorandum and a delegation will soon meet chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and K Jayaprakash Hegde, chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes.
“The demand to increase the quota for Muslims is justified and we will support it,” state Congress working president Saleem Ahmed told the daily.
Afsar Kudlikere, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) general secretary said that quota enhancement will be on his party’s election manifesto.
“While the Sachar committee report clearly said Muslims are the most backward, the Justice Ranganath Misra committee has recommended a reservation of 10% for the community,” said Kudlikere, “We will fight to achieve this through the assembly elections.”
Jayaprakash Hegde said they have prepared a report for about 15 communities. The study related to Panchamasalis and others is still on.
(Inputs from TOI)
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
