MIM seeks 14 Muslims groups be added in central OBC list

The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) urged the National Commission for Backward Classes to include of 14 socially and educationally backward castes of Muslims in the central list of other backward classes for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The party made a representation to the commission on Friday, the last day of its three-day public hearing.

In its representation, the MIM gave details of the 14 socially and educationally backward communities/castes among the Muslims in the list of backward classes in united Andhra Pradesh in 2007.

The AP Commission for Backward Classes in 2007 had recommended the inclusion of these groups in the state list of backward classes by earmarking four percent quota for them under a new category "E".

"It would be in the interest of justice, fair play, equity and parity to afford an opportunity to the socially and educationally backward sections of Muslims to move forward through the inclusion of these 14 SEBC castes among them in the Central List of OBCs in respect of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states," the representation said.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Telangana legislative council Mohammed Ali Shabbir also made a representation before the commission, demanding inclusion of all 14 socially, educationally and economically backward classes among Muslims of Telangana in the central list.

The Congress leader told the commission that the Supreme Court permitted the reservations in favour of these castes/groups.

"The identified groups/classes among Muslims have been enjoying the reservations under the state government for over eight years by now. Denying such identified groups a similar affirmative action under the union government will be discriminatory and arbitrary," he said.