Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Wednesday opposed reservation for Muslims on the basis of religion saying apart from being unconstitutional, it would unnecessarily lead to divisions and polarisation of the society.
Instead categorise them among the Dalits and backward classes and provide them reservation which would cover most of the community, he said in an interaction with editors in New Delhi on completing one year in office.
Expressing satisfaction over his government's performance in the year that has passed, Kumar exuded confidence his government would complete five years in office.
"Why only five years", he said in reply to a question but added he would not brag he would be in power for 10 or 15 years or for long, remarks apparently aimed at having a dig at his predecessor Lalu Prasad.
The fact that a BJP candidate won from Bhagalpur constituency in a recent Lok Sabha bye election, where Muslims constituted a significant proportion, showed the community had no no "fear" of the government that had the saffron party as a partner, he claimed.
Muslims were satisfied with the affirmative action of the government like subsidised power for weavers, releasing their burial grounds from illegal occupation and salaries for teachers in Madarassas as part of a ten-point programme for the community's uplift, he said.
{{/usCountry}}Muslims were satisfied with the affirmative action of the government like subsidised power for weavers, releasing their burial grounds from illegal occupation and salaries for teachers in Madarassas as part of a ten-point programme for the community's uplift, he said.
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