Centre looking at reservation for Muslims

The government is likely to consider reservation for Muslims in government jobs and education, law and minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid has said. HT reports.

The government is likely to consider reservation for Muslims in government jobs and education, law and minority affairs minister Salman Khurshid has said.

"We may have to make some changes in the law regarding giving reservation to Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions," the minister told reporters in Hyderabad on Sunday.

The Centre would follow the Andhra Pradesh model for the affirmative action, he said. The southern state has provided 4% reservation for socially and economically backward Muslims in jobs and education.

The Supreme Court while allowing the quota has referred the matter to a constitutional bench. Indian Constitution doesn't allow for reservation along religious lines.

"The Commission for Other Backward Classes will have some role... to determine the percentage of reservation," Khurshid said.

The minister indicated that the process would take some time as different aspects had to be looked into.

"There will be separate reservations… It is not necessary to have another bill. It may be done through government notification," he said.