Reservation For Backward Among Muslims, Minorities ?

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) Notwithstanding controversy over its bid to reserve higher learning seats for backward classes, the government today did not appear to rule out possible reservation for backward sections of Muslims and other minorities.

The suggestion by Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh came at a media briefing after a meeting of the National Monitoring Committee for Minorities Education at Habitat centre.

The HRD Minister announced moves to establish minority schools and colleges on Navodaya lines, raise standard of Urdu teaching and simplify recognition of minority institutions.

Asked about reservation for minorities, Mr Singh reminded the questioner that the Indian Constitution made no provision for religion based reservation.

But he did not appear to rule out reservation for backward sections among Muslims or other minorities.

Asked whether reservation might be made for backward sections of minorities, he indicated it might be considered if it is possible under the Constitution.

The subject figured in the context of an ongoing move to reserve higher learning seats for backward classes other than scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and an Andhra Pradesh High Court ruling in the matter.

The Monitoring Committee was set up after a national meet addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh two years ago advocated a serious look at minority education issues.

A statement handed out after today's meeting spoke of setting up minority schools and colleges along the pattern of Navodaya Vidyalayas in 125 districts with more than 12 per cent Urdu speakers.

It said such institutions may be managed either by Urdu University, Hyderabad or the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language.

Asked afterwards how these schools would be different from the existing Navodaya schools, the HRD Minister told UNI it was a new idea and would be examined in detail before he could elaborate.

On recognition of minority institutions, Singh said the process was fraught with difficulties and sought to be simplified.

The HRD Minister emphasised a largescale effort to train Urdu teachers and special Kasturba Gandhi Bal Vidyalayas for minority girls.

The task of training Urdu teachers may be assigned under Central sponsorship to Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Milia Islamia and Urdu University, Hyderabad.

The Minister told the news conference that special cells have begun functioning in such agencies as the University Grants Commission to coordinate minority needs.

Asked about remarks by the Uttar Pradesh government that the Central efforts were an attempt to gain political mileage and harmful to minorities, he declined to respond to any political insinuations.

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