"BJP have given it to Marathas, then why not the Muslims?" questions AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Muslim quota

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, while speaking to Republic TV has raised questions on the provision of Muslim quotas for socially and educationally backward people. This demand came parallel to the recent bill passed in the Assembly that has offered 16% reservation for the Maratha community.

Elaborating on the need for a quote pertaining to the socially and educationally backward communities he said, “My argument is reservation should be given on social, educational backwardness. The Bombay High Court accepted the social and educational backwardness of Muslims, they said to give it to them in education. Now despite that the BJP talks about ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ have given it to Marathas, then why not the Muslims? Not the Muslims but the caste among the Muslims whose backwardness is proven with empirical evidence, why don’t you want to empower this community?” 

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He emphasized on political parties like Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena supporting the Maratha quota, but not Muslims, “We want to be empowered, we want to progress so India becomes a very strong nation. But BJP wants to give it to Marathas, Congress has agreed to it, so have NCP and Shiv Sena but what about Muslims? I’m not saying give it on the basis of religion but on the basis of empirical evidence of social and educational backwardness which is proven by the Bombay High Court,” he added.  

He further accused the Centre and Congress governments of bias and discrimination, he said, “BJP wants to give it to Patels, Jats, Gujjars. This is blatant discrimination. I am not asking to give it to me on the basis of religion but with Article 15 and 16 on the basis of my backwardness. But here one must understand the hypocrisy of Congress party, despite having ample numbers in Assembly when they had power and they could have easily passed the law but issue an Ordinance and that Ordinance has lapsed. Now we are stuck, BJP does not want to bring a law or an Ordinance. This clearly shows, no one is interested in the empowerment of the Muslim community."

On November 29, the Maharashtra assembly unanimously passed the bill proposed by the government, led by CM Devendra Fadnavis , that proposed 16% reservation for Marathas, citing them under the category- Socially and Educationally Backward'

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