Telangana: Muslim organizations down their reservation demands to 8 percent from 12

The Hyderabad-based Muslim Organization - Tehreek Muslim Shabban, urged the Telangana Government to announce an 8 percent reservation for Muslims before the upcoming assembly elections. One of Telangana's leading political parties - AIMIM, which is considered a Muslim Party, had also recently urged the government to ensure the social development of Muslims.

The Tehreek Muslim Shabban president said, "BRS had promised 12 percent reservation for Muslims during the first assembly elections in Telangana in 2014. The TMS urged the Government that Muslims should have at least 8 percent reservations. It has been 8 years since BRS is in power, and the 12 percent reservation is not yet fulfilled". He added the BRS-led Telangana Government had increased the reservation quota from 6 to 10 percent for STs, but no announcement has been made for Muslims.

Mushtaq Malik, Convenor of the Joint and Action Committee (JAC) of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which comprises activists from different social and welfare organizations, urged the Telangana Government to at least increase the reservation for Muslims from currently 4 percent to 8 percent while citing that it will help Muslims fights the injustice.

Mr. Malik questioned the lack of Muslim representation in crucial government departments and public service commissions. He said the state government had appointed 10 vice-chancellors in different universities, but none are Muslim. He also added that Muslims are lagging in education and healthcare in Telangana. Muslims across the state majorly voted for the BRS party and are likely to vote for BRS in the upcoming elections; hence the community has many expectations from the current BRS government.