Muslim reservation demand sparks debate in Maharashtra Assembly
Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party state government minister Nitesh Rane has said that reservation cannot be provided to Muslims only on the basis of religion in Maharashtra state.
According to Kashmir Media Service, this was stated by Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane in a debate over Muslim reservation and minority welfare schemes in the Maharashtra Assembly.
During the discussion, Congress MLA Amin Patel raised the issue of reservation for Muslim students in education and demanded that the government provide a 10 per cent quota for students from the community. Referring to court directions, Patel said that Muslim students should be given educational reservation.
Responding on behalf of the Minority Development Department, Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal said that the government would take action according to court orders.
Later, Nitesh Rane intervened and clarified the government’s position. He said that Zirwal’s statement should not be misunderstood and repeated that reservation cannot be granted to Muslims solely on the basis of religion.
“Reservation cannot be given to Muslims on the basis of religion. However, if any person from the community qualifies for reservation on the basis of caste, they can receive the benefit according to the Constitution and law,” Rane said.
During the same discussion, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi raised the issue of pending scholarships for minority students and demanded that the government release the funds immediately.
Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh criticised the government and added that the Minority Development Department was not receiving enough attention. He demanded approval for projects, including an Urdu Bhavan, libraries and residential schools.
