Devendra Fadnavis slams Aghadi Govt over Muslim quota, calls it 'unconstitutional'

On Friday, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis slammed the Maha Vikas Aghadi Government over their announcement of 5% reservation for Muslims in schools and colleges. Fadnavis stated that it was extremely 'unconstitutional' to give reservations based on religion. Fadnavis also stated that the BJP will oppose this since there was no provision in the constitution of giving quota solely on the basis of religion. 

Read: BJP VP opposes Muslim quota in Maharashtra, says move aims to 'harness vote-bank politics'

Back in 2014, the Congress-NCP government had passed an ordinance granting a 5% quota to Muslims. However, soon after the BJP came to power in 2018, the BJP-Shiv Sena government ruled out reservations for Muslims on religious grounds citing various Supreme Court and high court rulings. 

Even within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, rifts are reported over this decision. Senior Sena leader Eknath Shinde came out to reveal that no decision was taken yet on Muslim quota in Maharashtra contrary to the remarks of NCP's Nawab Malik affirming the 5% quota decision.  

Read: Maha govt divided: Sena's Eknath Shinde claims 'no decision' on 5% reservation to Muslims

Muslim reservation in Maharashtra

On Friday, in a massive development, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government has announced in Maharashtra Legislative Council a 5% reservation for Muslims in school and colleges. State minister for minority affairs, Nawab Malik in response to Congress legislator Sharad Ranpise said in the Council that a bill will be introduced and the government will ensure its smooth passage. Malik added that action will be taken to ensure the passage before the beginning of the admissions for the academic year.

Earlier in January, Malik had confirmed that the move was in talks since the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) but had not been finalised yet. In spite of reservation in Maharashtra breaching 70%, sources on January 31, reported that the Thackeray-led Aghadi government is preparing to introduce a Muslim-based reservation in the state. Incidentally, a Muslim reservation was mentioned in Congress and NCP's manifesto.

Read: 'Competitive appeasement by NCP & Congress': BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Muslim quota

Read: Thackeray govt announces 5% ‘Muslim quota’ in school & colleges; bill to be passed soon