SC to consider Scheduled Caste status for Muslim Khateeks

New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre on a petition seeking Scheduled Caste (SC) status for Khateeks in Muslim community on the ground that Khateeks in Hindu community have already been given SC status.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice R V Raveendran issued notices on a petition filed by Akhil Maharashtra Muslim Khateek Samaj who contended that it is a clear case of discrimination that the people belonging to same caste in minority community have been denied the benefits of reservation, being enjoyed by their counterpart in Hindu community since Independence.

The petitioner also contended that caste based reservation can not be confined to one community. People belonging to same caste enjoying the same status in other community are also entitled to similar treatment.

UNI AKS/SC KK HS1640