Maharashtra Government Formally Cancels 5% Muslim Reservation
In a significant policy reversal, the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra has formally cancelled the 5% reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs through an official government resolution (GR). The decision, announced on Wednesday, has sparked immediate backlash from opposition leaders who have labeled the move as "anti-minority."
Withdrawal of 2014 Quota Decision
The social justice department issued the GR, effectively withdrawing the 2014 decision that had placed Muslims under the special backward class-A (SBC-A) category. This quota was originally introduced by the then Congress-NCP government through an ordinance. However, it was subsequently stayed by the Bombay High Court and never came into force. The latest administrative action formally cancels all related instructions, putting an end to the long-pending reservation policy.
Opposition Leaders Voice Strong Criticism
Ateeque Qureshi, former general secretary of the Maharashtra Congress minority department, strongly condemned the decision, terming it "anti-minority." He highlighted that the previous Congress-NCP government had issued an ordinance in 2014 to grant this quota to Muslims. "The subsequent Fadnavis government did not take the process forward, and even after the Bombay High Court granted interim relief for 5% educational reservation, its implementation was not ensured," Qureshi alleged, pointing to administrative lapses.
Akola MLA Sajid Khan Pathan also criticized the move, calling it an attack on the community's academic future. Pathan clarified that the quota was introduced specifically for educational purposes and not for employment benefits. "The reservation was meant only to help Muslim students access education and move into the mainstream. This is extremely unfortunate," he stated, emphasizing the policy's original intent to foster inclusivity.
Allegations of Double Standards
Targeting the BJP, Pathan accused the party of "double standards" in its approach to inclusive development. He argued that while the government speaks of broad-based progress, withdrawing a policy aimed at improving educational access for the minority community contradicts those claims. This criticism underscores the political tensions surrounding the decision, with opposition figures framing it as a setback for social justice and minority rights in the state.
The cancellation of the Muslim quota has reignited debates over reservation policies and minority welfare in Maharashtra, with implications for both educational opportunities and political discourse moving forward.
