Hyderabad: The Congress party on Saturday expressed its resolve to protect the present 4 percent Muslim reservation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh by putting up a strong legal fight in the Supreme Court.
Addressing the prize distribution ceremony of competitions held on the topic of “15 Years of 4 pr cent Muslim Reservation” on the occasion of 64th birthday of former Minister and ex-Leader of Opposition Mohammed Ali Shabbir at Prakasham Hall here on Saturday, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party would continue to fight the legal battle in Supreme Court to protect the 4% Muslim reservation. He praised the role played by Shabbir Ali and the then Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy in giving a 4% reservation to backward groups among Muslims in 2004.
He said that the previous Congress regime implemented 4% Muslim reservation in jobs, education and also in local bodies which led to socio-economic, educational and political empowerment of poor Muslims.
Uttam Kumar Reddy accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao of cheating the Muslims on the promise of a 12 percent reservation. He said KCR had promised to implement a 12% Muslim quota within four months after coming to power in 2014. However, he said the promise remained unfulfilled even after six years and today KCR is not even speaking about it. Calling TRS an ally of BJP, he cited various instances when KCR supported the BJP and Modi Government.
Shabbir Ali, in his speech, gave an overview of the impact of 4% Muslim reservation. He claimed that nearly 20 lakh poor Muslims in combined Andhra Pradesh benefitted from the reservation and Fee Reimbursement policies in the last 15 years. He pointed out that the percentage of Muslims in the state of Telangana is higher than the national average. “According to the All India Survey of Higher Education 2018-19, as many as 130,282 Muslim students were enrolled in Telangana State while it was 58,779 in Andhra Pradesh. Put together, a total of 1,89,061 Muslim students were enrolled in both the Telugu States where the four percent reservation is being implemented,” he said.
Shabbir Ali informed that the Supreme Court has resumed hearing on 4% Muslim quota case this month and all efforts were being made to win the legal battle in favor of Muslim reservations. He also informed that awareness would be created among Muslims on the importance of ongoing 4% Muslim reservation, especially among the young generation, and therefore, the National Solidarity Committee, headed by TPCC General Secretary S.K. Afzaluddin has organized various competitions like elocution, essay writing and quiz on the subject of Muslim reservation.
Sultan-ul-Uloom Educational Society Secretary Zafar Javeed, Youth Congress president Anil Kumar Yadav and other senior leaders also participated. A documentary on struggle for 4% Muslim reservation was also screened on the occasion.
SOURCE: NSS
