Chennai, June 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday strongly opposed the Indian Union Muslim League’s (IUML) demand to increase reservation for Muslims from the existing 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent within the Backward Classes quota, and urged the TVK-led coalition government not to pursue such a proposal.

The demand was recently reiterated by Tamil Nadu Minister for Minorities Welfare and IUML leader A.M. Shahjahan, who said his party had been consistently seeking a higher quota for Muslims in education and public employment.

Reacting to the proposal, Nagenthran argued that any increase in the reservation earmarked for Muslims would adversely affect other communities within the Backward Classes category.

“Some Hindus belonging to the Backward Classes have already lost representation because of the existing 3.5 per cent reservation for Muslims. Raising it further to 5 per cent will reduce the opportunities available to other Backward Class communities,” he said.

The BJP leader maintained that expanding the quota would upset the existing balance in the reservation system and diminish the share of other socially and educationally backward communities.

He called upon the state government to reject the proposal and safeguard the interests of all communities covered under the Backward Classes category.

The controversy gained momentum after Shahjahan, during an interaction with reporters, disclosed that the IUML had formally raised the issue with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

“We submitted the demand to the Chief Minister around 10 days ago. He has assured us that the matter will be considered and necessary action taken. We firmly believe that the reservation will be increased in the coming days,” Shahjahan said.

The Minister contended that a higher quota was necessary to improve the representation of Muslims in higher education institutions and government services.

He said the IUML had been pursuing the demand for several years and viewed it as an important step towards ensuring equitable opportunities for the community.

The BJP’s sharp response has added a new political dimension to the debate, with reservation policy once again emerging as a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu politics.

While the ruling alliance has not made any official announcement on the demand, the proposal is expected to trigger wider discussions among political parties and social groups over the structure and distribution of reservation benefits in the state.

–IANS

aal/pgh