Condition of Muslims worse than Dalits, reservation crucial for progress: Majid Memon

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majid Memon on Thursday said the condition of the Muslims is worse than that of Dalits in the country, and therefore, the decision on reservation for Muslims in jobs and in education is needed.

"The condition of the Muslims is worse than the Dalits, and therefore, reservation should be give to Muslims. In fact, Rangarajan, the chief justice of India also mentioned the need for Muslim reservation in the Rangarajan committee. However, if later people feel that it is not necessary, we can take it back," said Memon.

Muslim cleric Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali welcomed the decision saying now there was hope for the Muslims to progress.

"We welcome this reservation. Now, there is a hope that Muslims will also progress. Although, I feel that five per cent reservation is less, looking at the current status of Muslims. Even Justice Ranganathan had asked for 10 per cent reservation," said Mahali.

"If the government, in future, increases the quantum, then Muslims will benefit. It is late, but a good step. If it is implemented properly, the government may get good results in the elections as well," he added.

All India Muslim Law Board member Zafaryab Jilani said that if the decision is rightly implemented, it would benefit Muslims.

"This is the government decision. Till it doesn't come in the form of a bill or an order, we can't say whether it will benefit anybody. It should come in black and white. But if it is implemented, it will benefit Muslims," said Jilani.

Yesterday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan gave his nod to a 4.5 percent reservation for Muslims in the education sector and government jobs.

The Congress Party and Muslim parties hailed the decision, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders called it 'unconstitutional' and a clear case of votebank politics.