Close on the heels of Maharashtra government providing 16% reservation for Marathas and 5% for Muslims in jobs and educational institutions, a PIL in the Bombay High Court has sought similar facility for the Christian community.

The PIL, filed by city-based Alpha Omega Christian Community in the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court, said it was demanding five% reservation for Christians on the basis of recommendations made by the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission constituted by National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities.

According to the PIL, Maharashtra government had, on the basis of the Ranganath Commission report, appointed a seven-member committee headed by Dr Mehmoodur Rehman to study the socio-economic and educational status of the Muslim community in the state.

Thereafter, on the basis of the Mehmoodur Rehman Committee report, the Maharashtra cabinet approved 5% reservation to Muslims on June 25.

On the same lines, 5% reservation should also be provided to the Christian community which the PIL said had not been considered on the basis of recommendation of Ranganath Commission report.

The President of Alpha Omega, Ashish Shinde said "we have been demanding 5% reservation to the Christian community. The government has only given verbal assurance in the past. Now that reservation has been approved for Muslim community, we strongly demand for Christians."