12 Per Cent Muslim Quota Will Not Stand In Law

Hyderabad: Dr Amir Ullah Khan, a member of the commission of inquiry studying socio-economic and educational conditions of Muslims in Telangana, said on Tuesday that the state government’s proposed to provide 12 per cent reservations to Muslims may not stand before a court of law.

Dr Khan, a renowned economist and deputy director of the Gates Foundation at Delhi, was interacting with mediapersons along with IAS officer G. Sudheer and professor Abdul Shaban, both members of the commission.

Replying to a query, Dr Khan said providing reservations on the basis of religion would not stand before the Backward Classes Commission or before the courts.

“But it is a political decision of the TRS and strong political will make things possible,” he said.

Referring to the case of Tamil Nadu, where 69 per cent reservations were provided to various groups including Muslims, he said it took 50 years for the Tamil Nadu government to validate its decision by incorporating it in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution.

He added, “I explained the facts and the situation to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. He said that he had promised the Muslims and that he would put all his efforts to make it possible.”

Mr Sudheer said the commission would hold public hearings from September and it would soon issue a notification inviting suggestions from the public on various aspects, including uplifting the condition of the Muslims in the state.

Answering a question, he said that the commission would only report the facts before the government and recommend the percentage of reservations to be provided to Muslims.

He said, “After submitting our report, it is for the government to constitute a BC commission and it is for the commission to arrive at a decision after holding an  inquiry based on our report.”