Telangana: Quota change' irks Backward Classes

Hyderabad: Various Backward Classes have opposed the enhancement of reservation for Muslims under BC quota. The move assumed significance in the backdrop of Telangana BC Commission beginning public hearing on Muslim reservations on Wednesday.

The BC organisations want reservations for Muslims to be implemented under a 'special quota' and not included in BC category. Over 40 caste organisations belonging to the Backward Classes met here on Wednesday to decide their future course of action.

The meeting chaired by BC leader and president of All India Backward Classes Welfare Association R. Krishnaiah unanimously resolved to oppose inclusion of Muslims under BCs though it expressed support to the recommendation of increasing reservations for Muslims.

“There is a special minority welfare department, minority commission etc for the welfare of Muslims. Why they should be included in BCs list? We have no objection to the government increasing quota for Muslims. But they should be given under minority quota or any other special quota,” he said.

If they are included in BCs list, we will suffer. There are chances of BCs losing reservations to Muslims,” Mr Krishanaiah said. “For instance, in the Old City, out of 50 corporator seats reserved for BCs in recent GHMC elections, about 35 were bagged by Muslims. The same thing would happen in other reservations which may lead to friction between us in the future,” he said.

However, BC commission chairman B.S. Ramulu said, “Increasing quota for Muslims should not be viewed as depriving quotas for other castes listed in BC category. We will take enough measures to ensure that that all BCs get justifiable share in quotas.”

Meanwhile, on Day-1 of the public hearing, 12 organisations submitted their arguments before the BC Commission in favour of increasing Muslim reservations to 12 per cent as recommended by the Sudheer Commission of Inquiry.

Mr Ramulu said the hearing will go on till December 17 and all are invited to submit their arguments. He said the commission will hold separate meetings with legal experts, sociologists, university professors and other intellectuals to gather more information on Muslim reservations.