The Karnataka government’s decision to cancel 4% reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs has sparked a heated debate among various communities. The Muslims who were getting this reservation under the OBC category are now being advised to aim for getting jobs through merits. However, the question remains, are the Muslims not deserving of reservation?
The Muslim community of today is the new marginalized community of India. Muslims are discriminated against in social forums, and they are going through hard times in finding jobs in government institutions. The Sachar committee report even says that the Muslims are more backward than the SC/ST in India. Therefore, the need for reservation for the Muslim community cannot be ignored.
The cancellation of reservation for Muslims by the Karnataka government has created a stir among various communities, including the Muslim community. While it is commendable that the rich people from the Muslim community are being encouraged to give charity in the form of Zakaat to the poor and help them with education and jobs, it is not enough. The government must continue to provide reservation for the Muslim community as well.
The Karnataka government has included the reservation for Muslims within the 10% of EWS allotted. However, this is not enough to justify the cancellation of the 4% reservation that was given earlier. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should provide the Muslims with 40% reservations within the 10% EWS allotted to allow them to get the 4% that was given earlier. This would be a fair and just move, and it would provide the Muslim community with the representation they deserve in government jobs.
It is crucial to note that a lot of people from the Dalit and SC/ST communities have become Muslims today. They too deserve government reservations for all the atrocities done against their forefathers in the name of caste discrimination. Therefore, it is vital that the government continues to provide reservation for the Muslim community. The village of Meenakshipuram in Tamil Nadu witnessed an extraordinary event in 1981 when an entire community of Hindus from lower castes converted to Islam. Despite receiving support from the Muslim community through Zakaat, these individuals are still in need of financial aid. Such people are living all over India; even in Karnataka.
The BJP should not use this issue to flare up emotions during election season. It is crucial to ensure that all communities are treated fairly and justly. The Karnataka government should listen to the voices of the Muslim community and provide them with the reservation they deserve. In 2022, Karnataka’s CM Bommai had made assurances that there would be no changes to the OBC category, while increasing the reservation for the SC and ST communities by 2%. However, it appears that the CM has been unable to keep his word, which has caused disappointment and frustration among various communities.
In conclusion, the Karnataka government’s decision to cancel 4% reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs has created a lot of uproar. While the Muslim community is being encouraged to aim for getting jobs through merits, it is not enough. The government should continue to provide reservation for the Muslim community, and it should also listen to the voices of the community and provide them with the representation they deserve in government jobs. Let us hope that the government will take the necessary steps to ensure that all communities are treated fairly and justly.
Written By
Umar Shariff
(President, Discover Islam Education Trust)