Govt mulling reservation to backward class of Muslims

The government is actively considering the issue of providing reservation to backward classes of Muslims within 27 percent OBC quota.

The government is actively considering the issue of providing reservation to backward classes of Muslims within 27 per cent OBC quota.

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Giving this information in Lok Sabha in a written reply today, Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said, "providing reservation to backward classes of Muslims minority community within 27 percent OBC quota is under its active consideration."

The announcement is significant as this was mentioned in the Congress party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections held this year.

Sources said the government is considering various options from among the similar existing arrangements in states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The government is trying to formulate an option, which will not be struck down by the courts as has happened in the case of few state governments earlier.