Media Release
Kuwait, Mar 1: Reservation for Muslims and other backward sections are not a favour but democratic fundamental right.The arguments raised by certain groups against reservation for Muslims are baseless and against the spirit of the constitution. Muslims are eligible for reservation because of their relative backwardness and not because of their religious faith. The 50 percent restriction on total reservation put by Supreme Court is not irrevocable and should be changed by making necessary amendment in the law, said Ilyas Mohammed, Karnataka state president of Popular Front of India.
Ilyas Mohammed was addressing a public meet on Reservation – right or favour?, which was organized by Kuwait India Fraternity Forum (KIFF), at Teachers Society hall, Dasma, here, recently.
The program was conducted to enlighten fellow Indian nationals about Muslim Reservation taken in the context of Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission Report which has tabled in the parliament without the accompanying action taken on statement.
He further said that Indian Muslims are being neglected for various reasons since independence and now Rajindra Sachar has diagnosed that Muslims are almost as backward as SC/ST and more backward than non-Muslim OBCs. And Justice Misra has recommended 10 percent reservation to all Muslims in education and employment, but unfortunately so far the union government has not made any commitment regarding the implementation of recommendations contained in the report. Moreover Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has stated that a broad national consensus was needed for a decision on the issue. Indian Constitution guarantees religious, social and economic rights to minorities, but unfortunately these rights are blocked by anti-Muslim elements in India. The major problems faced by Indian Muslims are identity, equity and security, which is mainly due to capitalism and communalism and he urged all the Muslims not to wait further for any mercy from others, but to start strive themselves in order to overcome all these issues, added Ilyas Mohammed.
He also informed that PFI has lunched a two-month-long nationwide campaign kicked off with a public meeting held at Pune in Maharashtra on January 31. A Parliament March will be held at New Delhi on Thursday March 18, as part of the campaign. The campaign has been in progress with a series of public awareness programs such as pamphlets, posters, exhibitions, street meetings, vehicle caravans, rallies, seminars and cultural shows in various states of India.
The program, presided over by Rafeek Manchi, commenced with Quran recitation by Abdul Khader Thayyib.
Shareef Kodaje, Member, State Executive Council, Popular Front of India, Karnataka and Saifuddin were present on the Dias.
Siraj Kalladka proposed vote of thanks. Aman Sameer compered the programme.