ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-E-MUSHAWARAT

D-250, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025 Ph: 26946780 Fax: 26947346

Email: muslim@del3.vsnl.net.in. Web: www.mushawarat.com

Statement

Separate Sub-quotas for Backward Muslims & Christians

in Tamil Nadu Welcomed

AIMMM Calls upon Other States to Follow Tamil Nadu Lead 

Appeals to Centre for Repeal of 50% Cap and for Development Census

New Delhi,23 October, 2007: Syed Shahabuddin, President All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, has issued the following statement;

‘ The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) welcomes the passage of the Bill by the Tamil Nadu Assembly providing reservation sub-quotas of 3.5% each for Backward Muslims and Backward Christians, in public employment and education, both within the existing 30% OBC quota.

The AIMMM thanks the DMK leadership in general and Thiru M.Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamial Nadu in particular, for fulfilling their electoral promise which makes Tamil Nadu the third major state in the country to provide separate sub-quotas for Backward Muslims, following Kerala and Karnataka.

The AIMMM notes that other major states with larger, and even more backward, concentration of Muslims namely, UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Assam, Jharkhand, MP, Rajasthan and Gujarat have lagged behind in recognizing backwardness of the Community and its eligibility for reservation under article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution, not to speak of the Centre simply ignoring the findings of its own Gopal Singh Panel, Sachar Committee and the Mishra Commission.

The AIMMM does not expect any immediate follow-up in the BJP- ruled states but the others particularly, UP, West Bengal, AP, Maharashtra, Assam and Jharkhand should follow Tamil Nadu, after conducting detailed surveys of the educational, social and economic backwardness of the Muslim Community.

The AIMMM appeals to the Central government to move the Supreme Court to repeal the 50% cap urgently undertake a Development Census of all identifiable social groups and assist the Supreme Court to work out a rational framework and scientific methodology for a comprehensive reservation system to offer benefit to the backward sections.’

Sd/ Syed Shahabuddin

———————————————————————————————

Authorized for Publication:

New Delhi,             (Abdul Waheed)

23 October, 2007    Office Secretary