While Muslim groups have sought quotas in jobs and education after the state government announced that these benefits would be granted to Marathas, the demand has been opposed by a section of Muslims.

The All India Muslim OBC Organisation (AIMOBC) has said that since a majority of Muslims are already covered under categories like other backward classes (OBC), scheduled tribes (ST) and Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT), a religion-based quota for Muslims was unnecessary and would lead to polarisation.

“Like reservations for Marathas, (religion-based) quotas for Muslims are wrong and cannot be sustained legally,” said Shabbir Ansari, president, AIMOBC, adding that this demand by political parties was aimed at political gains and religious polarisation.

Ansari added Muslims formed around 76 of the 346 classes in the OBC category in Maharashtra. “Around 95% of Muslims are included in categories like OBC and VJNT. These OBCs, including Muslims, need to be strengthened through measures like quotas in promotions on lines of those from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and VJNT,” he said.

Only 5-10% Muslims, especially those in urban pockets who hailed from elite sections like the Ashrafs like Syeds, were not covered.

Muslims comprise over 10.6% of Maharashtra’s population, the fourth-largest after Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar, with substantial numbers in regions like Mumbai, Marathwada, Vidarbha and North Maharashtra. The state government’s controversial decision to grant quotas to Marathas led to similar demands by Muslims, who have organised campaigns, silent morchas and protests.

“The demand for Muslims to be given reservations on religious grounds is driven by politics and is an attempt to polarise votes. These political parties have nothing to do with the battle for reservations for the weaker sections,” said Ansari, adding that reservations could not be given on economic grounds as the economically backward were present across all castes and communities.

The state cabinet on Sunday accepted the recommendations of the Maharashtra State Commission for Backward Classes, clearing the decks for the Marathas to be granted quotas under the new Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC).

At present, the quantum of reservations in Maharashtra is 52%, including Scheduled Castes (SC) and SC converts to Buddhism (13%), scheduled tribes (7%), OBC (both, Hindus and non-Hindus with economic ceiling called ‘creamy layer’) (19%), VJNT: 11% and special backwards (2%). Marathas have been seeking a 16% reservations.

In 2014, the erstwhile Congress- NCP government had extended 16% quotas in jobs and education to the dominant Maratha community and Muslims (5%). Later, the Bombay high court (HC) had stayed the 16% quotas for Marathas and reservations in jobs for Muslims. However, it did not stay the decision to reserve 5% seats for Muslims in education. The BJP- Shiv government later approved a bill for Maratha quotas, but did not cover Muslims.

The AIMOBC is also seeking quotas for the OBC in promotions and a caste census to arrive at the number of OBCs in the population to ensure population-based budget allocations on lines of Dalits and tribals and funds for the Mahatma Phule Arthik Vikas Mahamandal to spur entrepreneurship in OBC youth.