Muslim Reservation Front bats for BC-E in national OBC list

Nampally: The Muslim Reservation Front (MRF) has sought the intervention of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) in including 12 castes of Muslim Backward Classes listed under BC-E category of TS in the Central list of OBCs, so that these categories which are identified by the State like other OBCs can avail the provisions.

In a memorandum submitted to the NCBC Chairman, Bhagwan Lal Sahni, the Front pointed out that the State government has recognised and enlisted 12 categories under Muslims as Backward Classes (BC-E), but unfortunately they have not been included in the list of Central government as OBCs.

"It is a matter of fact that there are specific classes of Muslims in Telangana State who are socially and educationally backward, down trodden and living below poverty line even after more than seventy two years of Independence. Their position is worse than that of the persons belonging to the schedule caste communities," stated Mohammed Iftekharuddin Ahmed, president of the Front.

The categories are as follows: Mehtar, Dudekula (laddaf, pinjari, noorbash), Qureshi (muslim butchers), faqir or fakeer (traditional beggars) and Rajannalu remains in the list at the Centre. He asked the Commission to include Dhobi Muslim, Garadi Muslims, Gosangi Muslims, Hajams, Attar Saibulu or Attarollu, TURKA KASHA, Guddi Eluguvallu, Labbai/Labbi, Borewale, Atchukatlavandlu (Muslims), Siddi/Yaba/Habshi/Jasi and Shaik/Sheikh.

All these 12 categories were previously included in the list of backward classes of State of Andhra Pradesh through G.O.Ms No. 23 Backward Classes Welfare Department and provided 4% reservations in education and employment in government services. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the Government of Telangana has also adopted the list of 14 categories of Backward Classes Muslims through GO Ms No 16 dated 11th March 2015.

The Front president took it to the Commission notice that Ranganath Mishra Commission has recommended 15% reservation for minorities in education and employment. It also recommended inclusion of Muslim and Christian Dalits in SC list. He further pointed out that the population of backward classes and most backward classes in our country is above 50% and the existing reservations in education and employment quota of 27% for OBCs is not enough to uplift these communities from their social and educational backwardness.

"We requested the Commission to recommend to the Government of India to enhance the existing reservation quota of OBCs from 27% to 40%. Provide 5% reservations to the Christians in the state and recommend for inclusion of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians in SC list on the basis of Ranganath Misra Commission recommendations. We also made a plea to provide 5% quota within 27% reservations of OBCs to the BC Muslims who were already included in the list of OBCs by creating a separate category for them," the leader said.