Muslim quota: Maharashtra opposition parties unite, burn copies of order

Mumbai: Joining hands against the BJP-Shiv Sena regime's decision to scrap five per cent reservation for Muslims, opposition parties in Maharashtra on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Assembly and burnt copies of the order brought out by the Devendra Fadnavis government.

Congress, NCP and MIM leaders gathered outside the House, shouted slogans accusing the government of being anti-Muslim and burnt copies of a government resolution issued recently which scrapped a related ordinance. Ahead of the Assembly polls last year, the previous Congress-NCP government had issued an ordinance providing five per cent quota in education and jobs to Muslims.

"The previous government decided to provide reservation to Muslims based on their economic backwardness. This was even approved by the High Court. Despite the court's order, this government showed the audacity to allow the reservation (ordinance) to lapse. This is unconstitutional," NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad told PTI.

Former minorities affairs minister and Congress leader Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan said the opposition will continue to protest against the injustice done to minorities.

"Congress had taken the decision on the recommendation of several committees which found that reservation for Muslims was a necessity. This government has projected itself as anti-Muslim by letting our notification lapse. We will keep up the protest inside and outside the legislature till our demands are met," Khan said.