http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/In...175,curpg-2.cms
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Quota plan for Dalit Muslims hits hurdle</b>
Subodh Ghildiyal
[ 17 Feb, 2007 0142hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
NEW DELHI: The government's bid to get Dalit Muslims categorised as 'Most Backward Castes' as suggested by the Sachar panel to get them targeted-quota in employment and education seems to be floundering, with the social justice ministry giving its thumbs-down to the possibility.
In its response, the ministry has pointed out that there is no such category as MBC at the Centre where the backwards are treated as a monolith, as opposed to states where they have been differentiated into "forwards among backwards", or "OBC", and "backward among backwards", called "MBC".
With the nodal ministry putting a spanner, government, under increasing pressure to back up its professed concern for minorities with tangible action, has been left hoping for a go-ahead from the National Commission on Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
The body has been asked to examine whether non-Hindu Dalits are entitled to quota benefits on par with Scheduled Castes.
In its report, which created much debate in political circles, the Sachar panel differentiated between two groups of Muslims converts from OBCs and from "untouchables" who are clubbed together in an "all encompassing OBC category".
<b>The report said the Dalit converts were "the worst off and need to be handled separately." It said they be either absorbed in the SC list or in a separate category (MBCs) carved out of OBCs. </b>
While the backward Muslims are entitled to OBC quota, it is argued that an overwhelming majority of those are not equipped to compete against other Hindu OBCs for quota benefits. Thus, the demand for sub-categorisation of Muslim OBCs into MBCs with a separate quota.
It is argued that <span style='color:red'><b>Dalit Muslims</b> would be better placed to compete for quota benefits against SCs, who would be equal competitors given their similar socio-educational status.</span>
(Yes, muslims are very special to dhimmi party governing India. So they get a special category and 'first claim on resources' as promised by MMS.)
Government is unlikely to draw much hope in the given situation as the less contentious suggestion to sub-categorise OBCs to earmark exclusive quota for Muslims has met with a negative response from the nodal ministry.
Arguing against a split of OBCs at the Centre, MSJ told a recent meeting in the PM's Office called on working out an implementation plan on Sachar panel's recommendations that the Centre's reservation policy skims out 'creamy layer' for the purpose of quota benefits. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->In one sense, it is true that islamics are the most backward, but that's because of their religion. Instead of giving them reservations, why not do them the greatest favour: give them the option of a change of religion?
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Quota plan for Dalit Muslims hits hurdle</b>
Subodh Ghildiyal
[ 17 Feb, 2007 0142hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
NEW DELHI: The government's bid to get Dalit Muslims categorised as 'Most Backward Castes' as suggested by the Sachar panel to get them targeted-quota in employment and education seems to be floundering, with the social justice ministry giving its thumbs-down to the possibility.
In its response, the ministry has pointed out that there is no such category as MBC at the Centre where the backwards are treated as a monolith, as opposed to states where they have been differentiated into "forwards among backwards", or "OBC", and "backward among backwards", called "MBC".
With the nodal ministry putting a spanner, government, under increasing pressure to back up its professed concern for minorities with tangible action, has been left hoping for a go-ahead from the National Commission on Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
The body has been asked to examine whether non-Hindu Dalits are entitled to quota benefits on par with Scheduled Castes.
In its report, which created much debate in political circles, the Sachar panel differentiated between two groups of Muslims converts from OBCs and from "untouchables" who are clubbed together in an "all encompassing OBC category".
<b>The report said the Dalit converts were "the worst off and need to be handled separately." It said they be either absorbed in the SC list or in a separate category (MBCs) carved out of OBCs. </b>
While the backward Muslims are entitled to OBC quota, it is argued that an overwhelming majority of those are not equipped to compete against other Hindu OBCs for quota benefits. Thus, the demand for sub-categorisation of Muslim OBCs into MBCs with a separate quota.
It is argued that <span style='color:red'><b>Dalit Muslims</b> would be better placed to compete for quota benefits against SCs, who would be equal competitors given their similar socio-educational status.</span>
(Yes, muslims are very special to dhimmi party governing India. So they get a special category and 'first claim on resources' as promised by MMS.)
Government is unlikely to draw much hope in the given situation as the less contentious suggestion to sub-categorise OBCs to earmark exclusive quota for Muslims has met with a negative response from the nodal ministry.
Arguing against a split of OBCs at the Centre, MSJ told a recent meeting in the PM's Office called on working out an implementation plan on Sachar panel's recommendations that the Centre's reservation policy skims out 'creamy layer' for the purpose of quota benefits. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->In one sense, it is true that islamics are the most backward, but that's because of their religion. Instead of giving them reservations, why not do them the greatest favour: give them the option of a change of religion?