As the election time in several States draws closer politicians of all hues are out to deceive the Muslim community with oft-repeated promises of reservation in jobs and education.
It would have been ideal if the reservation was given on the basis of economic, social and educational backwardness and not on the basis of caste but the caste-based reservation has become an accepted and enduring fact of Indian polity.
As Islam does not recognise any consideration of high and low castes, theoretically at least, there are no low castes in Indian Muslim society. But a reality check confirms that there are some elements of caste consideration among Indian Muslims also. And more than that, because of overwhelming prejudice and discrimination, the Muslims have been made backward and marginalised. They are not able to build their own lives properly and make their contribution to nation building. The situation demands that Muslims as a community should be given reservation at least in Government jobs and education. It will help to gradually bring them up to the level of other segments in Indian society.
Ranganath Misra Commission recommended in 2007 that 15 per cent reservation should be given to minorities and out of that 10 per cent should be earmarked for the Muslims. The Congress-led UPA Government reluctantly placed the report in the Parliament on the last day of the session so that there may not be a debate on it.
2001 Census indicates that Muslims are 59 per cent literate while the national average is 65 per cent. Muslims, on the basis of their population strength deserves 75 seats in Lok Sabha but their number has been between 28 and 45. In Central and State jobs their representation is less than 3 per cent and majority of jobs which they hold are at lower levels.
Now on the eve of elections to five State Assemblies the Central Government proposes a sub-quota of seven per cent for backward Muslims under 27 per cent OBC quota. There is strong apprehension that this will lead to open conflict between OBCs and Muslims and would also fail to address the problem.
There is a general apprehension among Muslims that they are being deceived once again in the name of providing reservation and they would remain where they have been. The situation is breeding frustration and frustration of such a big segment of society is never good for the future of the country.