Telangana’s Muslim quota an insincere idea
On Sunday, the Telangana Assembly and Legislative Council passed a Bill increasing reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for Muslims who come under the Backward Classes-E category to 12 per cent from 4 per cent. Reservation for members of Scheduled Tribe communities was also increased from 6 per cent to 10 per cent. With this, the overall quota would rise to 62 per cent in the state. The BJP, the only party opposing the move, protested vociferously in Assembly. On Monday, the party took to the streets against a move it has termed “unconstitutional” and “reservation on the basis of religion”.
The party may not be off the mark. CM K Chandrasekhar Rao's move is sure to face challenges from the Centre and before the courts. The quota—an election promise—becoming a reality depends on the fate of Tamil Nadu's reservation policy at the SC. The Congress and Telugu Desam Party, while supporting the Bill, drew attention to it being a political ploy. There seems to be little doubt about that.
If the CM had been sincere in improving the conditions for Muslims in the state, there is much more that could have been done on an immediate basis. For instance, the Sudhir Commission report on the socioeconomic conditions of Muslims in the state point to specific issues that have left the community more backward than even SCs and STs on some parameters. The Telangana government, however, has cherry-picked the recommendations. For instance, analyses by PRS India shows it cut down on its health and education expenditures last year.
As much as 53 per cent Muslims choose public health services over private services says the Sudhir report. The drop out rate is also higher in Muslims than most other communities. The CM may be banking on his move winning him votes—if it is scrapped by the Centre or the Courts or both, he can simply blame them. But the voter is hardly stupid and can see through such insincerity. Meanwhile, the winner, if any here, may end up being the BJP.