The BJP-led Maharashtra government has officially terminated the last administrative framework related to the 5% Muslim reservation implemented in 2014, prompting Congress to accuse the government of being 'anti-Muslim'.
The BJP-led government in Maharashtra has ended the administrative framework for a 5% reservation for certain Muslim communities, originally implemented in 2014. This decision has ignited controversy, with the Congress party labeling the government as 'anti-Muslim'. The 5% reservation was not for the entire Muslim community but specifically for 50 identified sub-castes recognized under the 'Special Backward Category-A' for educational institutions.
The reservation was introduced shortly before the 2014 assembly elections by the Congress-NCP government through an ordinance, aiming to aid marginalized communities based on reports from the Sachar Committee and a state-level study. The reports had highlighted the significant educational and employment disparities faced by certain Muslim groups in Maharashtra. By implementing this reservation, the overall quota in the state rose from 52% to 57%, which is noteworthy in the context of competitive politics in the lead-up to the elections.
With the abolition of this reservation, questions arise concerning the future support for these communities, particularly in educational access and job opportunities. The Congress party's critique highlights the potential impact of this move on social equity in Maharashtra, and it remains to be seen how this shift will affect the political landscape and the fortunes of the communities previously benefiting from the quota system.
