TN to pass Ordinance providing reservation for Muslims

Chennai, May 27 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government will pass an Ordinance providing reservation for Muslims in education and employment in one week's time, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced tonight.

Mr Karunanidhi was speaking after receiving the ''Umaru Pulavar Award'', conferred by the Islamic Ilakiya Kazhagam (Literary wing) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to literature and his immense service to the Muslim community, at the valedictory of the international Islamic Tamil Literary convention here.

Replying to felicitations, Mr Karunanidhi said reservation would be provided for Muslims within the reservation as requested by various speakers at the function, including Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Rehman Khan, on the lines of those existing in Karnataka and Kerala, providing the Muslims four per cent reservation within the 50 per cent quota in education and employment.

The government would pass an Ordinance in this regard within a week providing reservation for Muslims within the 69 per cent reservation for SCs and STs in the State, he said, amid loud cheers from the packed hall.

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