Post-Sachar Reservation Politics
The recent attempt to pass a 4.5% sub-quota for Muslims under backward classes has drawn the community into the reservation framework. In this light, it is important to recognise castes within Muslims that are poor and socially downtrodden. A change in our understanding of the homogeneity of the Muslim community is the key to understand the issues at hand. The community has evolved its position vis-a-vis reservation in educational institutions and government jobs and now believes that without progressive quotas.
Upliftment of Muslims would not be possible as they face discrimination at every level. The two commissions designed to map the socio-economic status of minorities and to recommend measures to improve their conditions were the Sachar Committee and the Ranganath Mishra Commission. The first diagnosed the problem and the second recommended measures. They can be credited with rejuvenating the debate surrounding minorities and their relationship with the state in the context of inclusive growth.
