Muslim group threatens mass agitation for 5% reservation to the community

MUMBAI: Reiterating their demand for 5% Muslim quota, a group of Muslim leaders have threatened mass agitation soon if the government fails to give reservation (5%) to the community at least in education which even the Bombay High Court had allowed.
Joining hands under an organisation called Muslim Welfare Association, the activists and leaders said they would support the party and the alliance which fulfils the High Court’s order which allowed 5% reservation to Muslims in education.” There is a party which says reservation cannot be given to Muslims as there is no religion-based reservation.But the same party is in alliance with a pro-Muslim reservation party in Andhra Pradesh. If the same party can support Muslim reservation in Andhra Pradesh, why is it against this reservation in Maharashtra,”? asked NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader Saleem Sarang. He added that the community will be forced to launch a peaceful agitation across the state and will continue the fight till their demands are met and at least 5% reservation in education is given.
Activist M A Khalid declared that soon a movement would be launched in the state with a clear message that only the parties which support our demand for reservation will get our votes. “We are going to make it very clear that only those parties or alliance of parties will get our votes in the forthcoming assembly elections which promise Muslim quota in their manifesto. No political party should take us for granted,” said Khalid. Jalgaon-based activist Raghib Ahmed said different inquiry commissions had recommended reservation to Muslims but the governments have been dilly dallying on granting Muslims their quota. “Our fight is for equality,” he said.
Activists resolved to hold meetings across the state to create awareness about Muslim reservation and put pressure on the government to honour the High Court’s order.