Maha govt against minorities, says Oppn after 5% quota is cancelled

Nagpur: Opposition leaders on Wednesday accused BJP-led Mahayuti govt of being "anti-minority" after it formally cancelled the 5% reservation for Muslims in education and govt jobs through a govt resolution (GR).The social justice department issued the GR withdrawing the 2014 decision that placed Muslims under special backward class-A (SBC-A) category. The quota, introduced by then Congress-NCP govt through an ordinance, was stayed by Bombay HC and never came into force. The latest move formally cancels all related administrative instructions.
Ateeque Qureshi, former general secretary of the Maharashtra Congress minority department, termed the decision "anti-minority". He said the previous Congress-NCP govt in 2014 had issued an ordinance granting quota to Muslim. "The subsequent Fadnavis govt did not take process forward, and even after Bombay HC granted interim relief for 5% educational reservation, its implementation was not ensured," Qureshi alleged. Akola MLA Sajid Khan Pathan also criticized the decision, calling it an attack on the community's academic future. Pathan said, "The quota was introduced for educational purposes and not for employment benefits. The reservation was meant only to help Muslim students access education and move into the mainstream. This is extremely unfortunate."Targeting the BJP, Pathan alleged "double standards" in speaking of inclusive development while withdrawing a policy aimed at improving educational access for minority community. Related report on P 7