Minority quota: SIO seeks immediate step from Govt. to save academic year of thousands

By TCN News,

New Delhi: Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has demanded Central Government particularly the Minister of Human Resource Development, Mr. Kapil Sibal to provide clear directions before 13th June to educational institutions to carry on with the 4.5% minority OBC quota. SIO Secretary General, P M Salih urged the government to ensure implementation of 4.5% quota in the current academic year as the admission procedure has already started. This is necessary as some institutions like IITs have indicated they will follow the Andhra Pradesh High Court order which last month nullified the quota.


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SIO has announced that that when the Central Government appeals this verdict in the Supreme Court, SIO will also become a party in Public Interest Litigation in this issue. Although Government has decided to appeal this verdict in Supreme Court, it should ensure implementation of the quota as career of thousands of deserving candidates is at statek.

“It was an appreciating decision of UPA Government to earmark 4.5% sub-quota for minority within 27% OBC reservation taking into account their socio-economic and educational backwardness. But now, the government seems to have lost the interest in the cause. No statement has yet been issued from MHRD. Minority and Law minister Salman Khurshid comments frequently. He also said to approach Supreme Court in July after summer vacation. But he is silent on IIT admission. It is to be noted here that the counseling for admission starts by 10th June onwards,” Salih said in a statement.

The quota was announced in December 2011 and came into effect from January this year. The verdict from Andhra Pradesh High Court quashed this 4.5% sub-quota on May 28. It is the fifth time that the high court has given its adverse verdict on the issue of reservations for minorities. This has created crisis in already started admission process in educational institutions. IIT governing body has decided to go on considering AP High Court rule as a mandate unless any legal development/information received from MHRD before 13th June. Central Universities and other institutions may also move forward in this direction. This may force many students to lose opportunities for admissions in current academic year.

SIO demanded MHRD and Law Ministry to stop war of words and jointly advance in this regard.

In this regard an SIO delegation under the leadership of Shariq Ansar, National Secretary with Ajmal V, member, National Education Strategy Cell met HRD Secretary and conveyed these apprehensions and demands.

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