'Govt to try to convince SC on minority sub-quota'

The government will try to convince the Supreme Court that carving out 4.5 per cent sub-quota for minorities within 27 per cent OBC quota was not on religious consideration but on the basis of backwardness, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said on Sunday.

"We (the Government) will try to convince the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court that the sub-quota is not religion-based, but is on the basis of backwardness," he told a seminar here. "Religion-based reservation is not legitimate, but we can do inclusion on the basis on religion. All class and religion are given proper representation in the formation of Cabinet or a selection committee and inclusion can be done on this pattern," he said while asking Union Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman to put up the point before the apex court.

Khurshid, who was speaking at the seminar on 'Seven Years After Sachar', also said, "Reservation is not granted to a particular caste, but if all people of that particular caste are backward, they can be granted reservation. Similarly, there may be such religions which may have backward people, so reservation should be granted on the basis of backwardness."

He also said the objective of the government's planning behind 'Equal Opportunity Commission' was to ensure representation to all class in various sectors. Khurshid clarified it was not meant to provide reservation to those who are not entitled for quota as was misunderstood by some, particularly in the minority community.

In the next session of the seminar, which was held to discuss implementation of the recommendations of Sachar committee regarding social, economic and educational status of Indian Muslims, Khan said the government would make efforts to expedite the reservation matter pending before the Supreme Court.

Khurshid also said that the government was hopeful of good relations with Pakistan. "We expect good relations with Pakistan and initiatives in this directions are welcomed," he said on the sidelines of the function.