Reservation to backward Muslims at the center stage before UP election

Lucknow: For the past six decades after independence as any election comes close political parties try to outshine each other with promises to Muslims. Once the election is over, the promises and assurances are shifted to back burner only to be brought back before next election.

Reservation to backward section of Muslims, is one such issue. Political parties and governments came and went, they promised action on the issue and in return reaped Muslim votes but the fruits of harvest never reached the community.

Once again Muslim reservation issue is at the center-stage as India's most populous state, U.P. goes to poll in 2012. Realizing the importance of Muslim votes, several issues were raked up from time to time to lure the Muslims. Innocent Muslims showed enough perseverance and believed the lofty promises of political parties. From job, social equality, justice to various riot victims and Babri Masjid issue figured high on the agenda.

On Monday, union law and minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid, during a function in Lucknow announced that Congress led UPA-II government will soon announce reservation for Muslims in central government jobs. The reservation will be for the economically and socially backward Muslims.

According to the law minister, a share of 6 percent will be earmarked for them as a sub-quota in the 27 percent OBC quota. Needless to say Salman had hit the bull's eye with coming UP elections in mind, where Congress and its crown prince Rahul Gandhi is trying to make a comeback after remaining in oblivion for 22 years.

But what remains to be seen how does the Congress party convinces its going-to-be-an-ally Ajit Singh of Rasjtriya Lok Dal, who hasn't made his stand on the issue of reservation to backward Muslims clear yet. Reportedly he is not in favor of the proposal as it is going to further "eat up"
into the existing OBC quota of 27 percent from where, Jats- a community which forms the main constituency of RLD- get their reservation share.

Importantly, Ajit Singh doesn't prefer to make his stand clear on the issue because he doesn't want to make Muslims angry as he doesn't want to loose the support of minority community in western UP which is his bastion. Western UP has huge chunk of Muslim population including Muslim Jats as well who support Singh's party.

However, the announcement did not go down well with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and its Muslim face Azam Khan. They too chipped in demanding reservation to the minority community.

Interestingly the Yadav chieftain also lashed out at Congress leader for hijacking his Muslim agenda. "Since the onset we have been demanding reservation for Muslims. Now with elections being round the corner Congress leaders are trying to misguide the community. SP members, including me, had raised the issue in Lok Sabha and Prime Minister (PM) had given assurance over this," said Mulayam on Tuesday.

"Our demand is that recommendations by Sachar Committee and Ranganath Mishra commissions should be implemented in totality. There should not be any deviation from these recommendations as these commissions were set up by Congress itself," said Mulayam.

Azam Khan nodded his head in confirmation sitting besides Mulayam. However, the SP leaders were at a loss of words when reminded that the issue is being raised after Congress leader made the announcement.

Mulayam also threatened to start an agitation if Congress failed to act in this regard during the coming winter session. "Our MPs will corner the Congress during the winter session. Muslims are worse than dalits and should be given reservation," said Mulayam.

Political experts believe that all announcements may vanish in thin air once elections are over and the Muslim community will be left again alone, waiting for fresh promises before next
elections.

source: TwoCircles.net