By TCN Staff Correspondent,
Chennai: Even more than three years after it came into effect, the 3.5% quota for Muslims in Tamil Nadu is yet to be fully implemented. Discrimination and bias is rampant in implementing the quota. The half-hearted implementation of the quota is pushing Muslim leaders and groups to demand the government for a high-level monitoring committee to ensure its full implementation.
Tired of holding protest rallies and dharnas for full implementation of the quota, Tamil Nadu Thowheedh Jamaath (TNTJ) has now asked its members and volunteers to send fax and telegraph to the CM office informing him of the gross injustice to the minority community and demanding the appointment of a high-level observation committee to supervise the implementation of the Muslim reservation.
TNTJ has in fact sent thousands of faxes and telegraphs to the CM and demanded appointment of a High-Level Observation Committee to supervise the implementation of Muslims reservation on the pattern of the High-Level Observation Committee for Arundadiyar community that the CM has appointed.
The Tamil Nadu government brought into effect the 3.5% quota in job and education for Muslims on 13th September 2007. It is actually a sub-quota earmarked under the 30% quota for Backward Classes. The 3.5% Muslim quota covers about 95% of the state Muslim population as they come under BC category. But it was never properly implemented by government officials.
“We have launched the campaign for full implementation of the Muslim quota and to demand the appointment of a High-Level Observation Committee to supervise the implementation of Muslims reservation like the High Level Observation Committee for Arundadiyar community’s quota,” said Mr Md Amin, secretary, state student wing of TNTJ.
“If the quota is not fully implemented and our demand is not met, we will sit and decide for future course of action,” Amin told TwoCircles.net when asked what TNTJ will do if their demand is not met.
Talking to TCN Prof MH Jawahirullah, president, Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) said that soon after the quota came into effect, 200 personnel were recruited in civil judiciary. Out of 10 successful Muslims, seven had come through this quota. However, the quota was not implemented honestly by some departments.
Pointing out lacunae he said: Due to roster system, Muslims come at lower position of preference, and this keeps them from getting full benefit of the quota.
While demanding the appointment of a High-Level Observation Committee to supervise implementation of the quota, Prof Jawahirullah suggested that when there is less number of vacancies at a department it should be checked if Muslims have ever been on that given post. If not they should be given preference.
On what TMMK is doing for Muslim community to get benefit of the quota, Prof Jawahirullah said: “At the time of recruitment drives, we spread awareness among the community. We also prepare youths for competitive exams.”
[TCN Photo]