SP asks Centre's intentions on minorities' sub-quota issue

Lucknow, Jun 13: Questioning the intentions of the Union government on the issue of sub-quota for minorities, senior UP Minister

today said the state government would consult legal experts and religious leaders to bring a law which could not be challenged in court.

"UP government would consult legal experts, religious leaders and bring a law on the basis of its political experience which could not be challenged in the court," Khan said when asked to comment on Supreme Court's refusal to stay the Andhra Pradesh High Court order quashing 4.5 per cent sub-quota to minorities.

In order to gain political mileage, 4.5 per cent quota was granted to minorities within 27 per cent quota meant for the OBCs through a law which could be challenged in the court, Khan said adding that the matter went to the apex court as the intentions of the government were not clear.

For the second time in three days, the apex court refused to stay the Andhra Pradesh High Court order quashing the sub-quota for minorities and asked whether the decision can be made on the basis of religion.

To a question, Khan termed 4.5 per cent sub-quota as an election stunt of the central government. Stressing that the UP government was committed to granting reservation to Muslims, Khan attacked Congress saying its intentions had never been clear as far as the matter of Muslims' welfare was concerned and cited the example of Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal refusing to accept that Jamia Milia is a minority institution.

PTI