Bangalore: Syed Shahabuddin, former Janata Dal leader, while criticizing the DV Edit of Jan. 16, 1996: “Cow belt maulanas oppose Backward Muslim demand for reservation”, had asked us not to support ‘motivated individuals and organization is trying to destroy Muslim unity.” However, in his reply he proposed a Muslim quota which should be based on the population and index of backwardness of various Muslim sub-communities (DV Feb. 16, 1996: “‘Cow belt maulanas and Backward Muslim reservation ®) Now, he wants the Govt. of India to bring a ‘comprehensive legislation” to extend reservation benefit to all SCs irrespective of their subsequent religious conversion:
New Delhi: Syed Shahabuddin, convenor of ‘Insaf Morcha’ on July 17 said the quantum of reservation should also be “refixed” for the total of Schedule Caste population taking into account the additional population brought under its purview in the Central Services as well as for each State. The original constitutional order of 1950 limited the concession only to those who are Hindus and Sikhs, he said adding that this “injustice” was partially mitigated when the Dalit Buddhists were brought under its purview. “Now the Dalit Christians are’ being brought in”, he said hoping that “next will be the turn of Muslims, if they can also mobilize sufficient political support”. (Indian Express, July 18).
