Guntur: Muslim quota lopsided, no relief for deserving

Guntur: Syeds, Pathans and Moghuls of the Muslim community are struggling for their livelihood. The three Muslim groups belonged to the ruling class for centuries. The government, taking this into consideration, denied them BC-E reservation in AP despite their penury.

There are 78 lakh Muslims living in AP; of which 16 lakh Muslims are from the above-said groups. They complain that their children are barred from BC reservation as the government treats them as developed, while they are actually poor.

Students Syed Ali, Pathan Subhani and Asif Khan said that officials are refusing their application for BC-E caste certificates. Muslim Aikya Vedika state president Sk. Jalil said the then British government gave reservation to Muslims but the present government is creating differences by categorising groups. He claimed that only a few Syeds, Moghuls and Pathans are financially well-off. A Majority of them are poor.

He said that the Vedika organised a meeting on Muslim matters on September 18 at Mangalagiri but the police foiled it, which shows the attitude towards the minority community.

Sk Jalil said that many Syeds, Pathans and Moghuls are working as wage labourers, autorickshaw drivers and foundry workers earning Rs 100 to 300 per day. They said that the old ruling class has become the working class. He demanded that the government issue BC-E certificates to Syeds, Moghuls and Pathans.

Indian Union Muslim League AP president Basheer Ahmed objected to the categorisation of Muslim groups and demanded that all Muslims be put under BC-E category due to poor economic conditions. He said that Muslims are 14 per cent in AP; so the government should give political reservation to Muslims by reserving 24 MLA seats and matching MP seats.  

An Intermediate first ye-ar student, Syed Rafi said, “My parents are labourers and I am trying for BC-E certificate for the past three years but in vain.” He said that he was forced to become part-time worker to pay for his college fee, books and materials. The government should allow all Muslim groups to be eligible for the four per cent reservation under BC-E category, he said.