Backward Muslims stage demonstration; seek reservation in govt job

New Delhi, Feb 10 (UNI) Thousands of Muslims belonging to various backward classes today marched to Parliament and staged a demonstration seeking reservation in government jobs and educational institutions on a par with OBCs from other religious groups.

The protest rally was led by All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz national president Ali Anwar, a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar.

Mr Anwar said Muslims who belonged to socially, educationally and Other Backward Classes constituted 80 per cent of the 15 crore Muslim population of the country. This backward community had been ignored by national and regional political parties for their own vested interests, he alleged.

He pointed out that even the Sachar Committee's report, which studied the socio-economic and educational status of minorities across the country, had stated that a majoity of them were socially, economically and educationally backward and formed the lowest rung of society.

Some of the Muslims groups like Ashrafs, Ajlafs and Arzals are living at the same level of Dalits and they should be classified as Dalits on a par with the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhist SC category along with Christian converts, Mr Anwar said.

Later, the protesters, mostly from Bihar, UP and other states, submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking soft bank loans for backward and Dalit Muslims-- who are generally artisans and living in penury.

The protest march was also joined by 34 other organisations, which included All India Teli Samaj, All India Gujjar Welfare Association, Bhartiya Chhipi Samaj and Muslim OBC Welfare Association.

UNI