Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has voiced support for five percent reservation for Muslims in educational institutions amid the ongoing Maratha agitation, The Indian Express has reported. In a press conference Thackeray asked the Devendra Fadnavis led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to look into demands of Muslims, Dhangars and other communities.

The Shiv Sena’s demand were supported by the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) whose MLA Imitiaz Jaleel hailed it as “positive development”. He said, “The BJP should take a cue. Some BJP leaders, through their acts and utterances, are targeting Muslims.”

In June 2014 the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party alliance had passed an ordinance providing 16 percent reservation for Marathas and five percent reservation for Muslims. The Bombay HC had upheld the five percent reservation for Muslims in educational institutions and scrapped the 16 percent reservation for Marathas. The ordinance howwever lapsed after six months.

The AIMIM MLA added that the Bombay HC had supported five percent reservations for Muslims in educational institutions while rejecting reservations in jobs. The Bombay HC struck down demand for Maratha reservation and it ordered the government to set up a Backward Classes Commission to look into the matter.