Nearly 25 lakh poor Muslims benefited from 4% quota in TS, AP: Shabbir

Hyderabad: Stating that the ongoing 4% reservation for Muslims in jobs and education in the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was the result of a long and hard struggle, Muslim leaders on Saturday vowed to do what all it takes to protect the quota and thanked every individual and organisation who played a role in getting it.

Former minister and ex-Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Saturday organised a condolence meeting in memory of former IAS officer P.S. Krishnan who passed away on November 10. Addressing the meeting, Shabbir Ali recalled the services of Late Krishnan towards the cause of Muslim reservation. He said it was Krishnan's report which acted as a base for categorisation of socially and economically backward classes Muslims in a separate category BC-E. It was on his recommendation that the reservation percentage for Muslims was reduced from 5% to 4% to avoid the legal complications as the Supreme Court had imposed 50% ceiling on quota.

Shabbir Ali said that the then Dr. Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy Government has hired the services of PS Krishnan to prepare a 'Report on Identification of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes in the Muslim Community of Andhra Pradesh'. He submitted the report in June 2007 and the same report served as the basis for creation of a new category BC-E to include 14 socially and economically backward classes among Muslims which subsequently resulted in 4% reservation for Muslims in jobs and education. He said Krishnan was nearly 76 year old when he was hired as Advisor. However, he said Krishnan was so active and dedicated to the cause that he rarely missed any hearing in the court. He used to follow all the hearings pertaining to 4% reservation in the High Court and also in the Supreme Court. He used to take notes and give necessary suggestions to our legal teams.

The Congress leader said Krishnan's personality was highly inspiring and his skills of drafting official documents were exemplary.

Shabbir Ali also explained the entire struggle for Muslim reservation since 1989 when he became the MLA and minister for the first time. He said the first attempt to provide reservation for Muslims was made in August 1994 by issuing the GO MS No. 30. However, he said the Muslims reservation was finally implemented in 2004 when GO Ms No 33 was issued on 12th July, 2004 by providing 5% reservation for Muslim Communities named as Group `E'. But this got struck in the High Court and it was only after Krishnan's advise that the then State Government overcame legal hurdles by reducing the percentage quota from 5% to 4% and classifying poor Muslims among 14 castes.

"We salute the contribution of P.S. Krishnan in providing reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh (& Telangana). He has referred to hundreds of books and reports to compile a 281 page report which served as foundation stone for Muslim quota. His services for the backward and oppressed classes will be remembered forever," Shabbir Ali said adding that nearly 25 lakh poor Muslims benefitted from the 4% reservation during the last 15 years.

Rich tributes were also paid to former Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy, ex-Solicitor General Ghulam Hussain Essaji Vahanvati and others.

The gathering also prayed for the health and speedy recovery of former IAS officer Jannat Hussain who played a key in getting reservation for Muslims. Shabbir Ali also recalled the services of academicians and leaders including the founders of Sultan-ul-Uloom Education Society - S.M. Amjed Ali Khan, Ghulam Ahmed and Nizamuddin Ahmed, founder of Darulsalaam Education Society and late MIM President Salahuddin Owaisi; founder of Shadan Group of Institutions Dr. Vizarat Rasool Khan and others who played an active role in bringing educational revolution within the Muslim community in the private sector.

The meeting was also addressed by Sultan-ul-uloom Society Secretary Zafar Javeed, former minister Asif Pasha, Madina Education Society Secretary K.M. Arifuddin and many prominent academicians from across the State.