After the reservation demands by the Maratha community, a massive Muslim agitation appears on the cards as the community has decided to launch a “mass democratic struggle” for 20 per cent reservations for Muslims.
A massive padyatra (march) is planned on May 17 from Malegaon in the Nashik district to Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The march is likely to conclude on May 27 or 28. The seed of this movement was sown during a mass rally organised in Malegaon on March 29. Thousands of people turned up to hear the top leaders of the community speak on reservations for the Muslim community. The idea is to focus on reservation for the Muslim community as a whole i.e. bring the Sunnis, Shias, Bohris, Ismaili Khojas, Vohras under one ambit. This idea was mooted by former mayor of Malegaon Asif Rashid Shaikh, the son of ex-MLA Shaikh Rashid, through his forum Muslim Reservation Federation. Asif Shaikh is also convenor of the padyatra.
Speaking to The Asian Age, Asif Shaikh said that 5,000 dedicated persons would gather at Shahido’kei Yadgar Chowk on Kidwai Road in Malegaon after Jumma Namaz on May 17.
The Muslims are demanding reservations in higher education, including medical and engineering courses, jobs in the police, government, hospitals, municipalities, Railways etc. The 20 per cent reservation is based upon 20 per cent population of Muslims in India.
As part of an awareness programme, Shaikh Asif has begun holding rallies in other parts of Maharashtra. “Once we cover Maharashtra, we will move to other states,” he said.