Indian Union Muslim League
Bring Constitution Amendment Bill to provide reservation for the poor among the forward upper castes
New Delhi, 12 August, 2003:
The Prime Minister has expressed his readiness to bring Constitution Amendment Bill to provide reservation for the poor among the forward upper castes. Earlier the Congress Chief Minister of Rajasthan had suggested a 14 per cent economic reservation. The Prime Minister has called upon all the political parties to state their views and assure co-operation in the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill.
Indeed, reservation needs to be extended to all those who deserve it. But the details of the economic reservation have still to be spelt out. In the guise of economic reservation, the national policy and the extent of reservations for the socially and educationally backward cannot be abridged or diluted. Further, the miserable plight of the Muslims and other minorities and their need for reservations cannot be ignored. Doors are slammed on them. The seriousness and the urgency are even greater in their case.
Muslims and other minorities need also note a significant point. With the elections fast approaching, parties are talking about reservation for the poor in the forward castes. But even in this thick of elections, they continue to ignore the legitimate claims of the Muslims and other minorities for reservations.
G. M. Banatwalla M.P.
President
Indian Union Muslim League
27, Western Court, Janpath, New Delhi-110001. Phone: (++91-11) 23368428
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