Jaipur, May 28: Rajasthan’s BJP-led state government has announced a review of the reservation status granted to 14 Muslim groups under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. This move was confirmed by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot on Saturday.
Gehlot revealed that a high-level committee will examine the classification, which was initially granted by the Congress between 1997 and 2013. He criticized the previous administration’s decisions as part of “appeasement politics,” asserting that the Constitution does not permit reservations based on religion.
“We have all those circulars, and the department and the government are going to review it,” Gehlot said, noting that several complaints had been received regarding this issue. He reiterated the BJP’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the reservation system for Dalits, tribals, and other backward classes, excluding any religious considerations.
This announcement comes amid a broader political narrative where BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have criticized the Congress for its policies on wealth distribution and reservations for Muslims. Modi has consistently argued against religious-based reservations, framing them as unconstitutional.
According to government data, 14 States and Union Territories currently include Muslim communities in the OBC list due to their social and economic status. Gehlot’s remarks also follow a recent decision by the Calcutta High Court, which invalidated all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal post-2010.
The review process is expected to generate significant political debate, especially in the context of the upcoming elections, where reservation policies are a critical issue.
