Mumbai: Even as the Maharashtra government is set to announce its decision on the Rane Committee's recommendation for 20 per cent quota for Marathas, Congress MP Hussain Dalwai on Sunday made a strong pitch for reservation for Muslims in the state.
"It would be a blunder on the part of the Maharashtra government to provide reservation only to the Maratha community, while ignoring the demands of the Muslims. Financial and educational condition of the Muslim community is worse than that of the have-nots among the Marathas," Dalwai said in a press release.
"Why can't Muslims be given reservation if Marathas can be, even though Muslims are leading very precarious lives," he said.
Hussain Dalwai's warning to the state government came a day after Narayan Rane said in the legislative council that the government will anoounce 20% reservation for Marathas after June 20, the last date of election code of conduct.
"The plight of the Muslims is so bad that 78 per cent child labour is from this community", the Rajya Sabha MP said.
"What is the percentage of Muslims in government jobs and what is the status of their education? Why are they harassed by police?" he asked.
Dalwai alleged that even though members of the Maratha community occupy 80-90 per cent political and financial power centres in the state, the marginal farmers, landless labourers, unorganised workers among the Maratha community have not benefited.
According to him it is the duty of the government to provide "special opportunities" to a community that is lagging behind in the society.
In line with Rane Committee, Dr Mehmoodur Rehman Committee had also recommended reservation for the Maharshtra Muslims.
The committee, formed to study the socio-economic condition of Muslims in Maharashtra submitted its report in October 2013.
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