Maratha

Bharatiya Janata Party

Devendra Fadnavis

All India Muslim Personal Law Board

Waqf

At a time when calls for reservations are stepping up in the state across sections of society, thousands from the Muslim community gathered on the streets of Pune for a march on Sunday, making a similar demand for quota not just for themselves, but others like them. Members of the Dalit andcommunities also participated in and supported the rally.During the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) regime before 2014, an announcement of 5 per cent reservations was made for Muslims; the state government had also released an ordinance in this regard that year. However, the decision was soon challenged in the Bombay High Court, which ruled in favour of the Muslim community. Yet, the ordinance lapsed six months down the line as the current ruling(BJP) failed to convert it into a law.Islamic community members also tried to put forward their representation over the years in front of the government, but no heed was paid — after pressure for Maratha quota gained momentum in recent times, Muslims also decided to organise. Before the march on Sunday, a notice of one month had been given, encouraging the government to take cognisance and act. But with no assurances forthcoming, community members spilled out onto the streets in protest.The rally, which began from Golibar Maidan in Cantonment, saw the participation of various age groups. Dalit community members walked side by side with Muslims, while Marathas welcomed the protesters and provided necessary assistance in terms of logistical arrangements to the organisers. The march ended at the collector’s office, where women Muslim representatives submitted a list of demands to the district collector, in a letter addressed to Chief MinisterAn unnamed leader from the protest’s organising team told Mirror, “Firstly, the decision for 5 per cent reservations for us should be taken immediately. Besides, the government also has to take action against the rising incidents of mob lynching and make sure the guilty get capital punishment. Further, the government shouldn’t interfere in decisions taken by the, and encroachments onland must be removed immediately. Also, Muslims should get protection under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989.”Besides their own demand, the community has also asked that overall reservation percentage be increased to 70 per cent, so other communities also benefit from it, including Brahmins, Jains, Dhangars, and those who are socially or economically backward.Organising committee member Anjum Inamdar shared, “We feel Marathas are set to get reservation in the Winter Session of the Assembly. But others must benefit, too, especially when it comes to economic and educational backwardness. This is why we have put forth our demand. Sunday’s protest march was an ultimatum to the government. We hope they take the decision in our favour, otherwise there is a core committee meeting scheduled soon, in which we will decide upon a further course of action, which will be one step ahead of a march.”