Women’s quota bill in present form is injustice: Muslim group
By IANSFriday, March 5, 2010
NEW DELHI - The All India Milli Council, a Muslim group, Saturday demanded a “quota within quota” in the women’s reservation bill and said it will hold a protest march Monday against the government’s move to pass the legislation in its present form.
M. Manzoor Alam, general secretary of the Milli Council, said here Saturday that the protest march at Jantar Mantar would be joined by other religious minority groups and Dalit organisations.
“If passed, the bill will amount to injustice against the women belonging to minorities and Dalits,” Alam said.
He said the proposed 33 percent quota in legislatures for women would lead to “further asymmetry in the representation of various classes and groups in the country”.
“We demand quota within quota for Muslims, other minorities, Dalits and OBCs (Other Backward Classes),” Alam told IANS.
He said only 14 Muslim women had been elected in the 15 parliamentary elections held from 1952 to 2009.
Alam said political parties should play a constructive and proactive role in providing justice to the marginalised communities.
