In what could be a momentous step for the AP government, the Supreme Court has ordered a stay on the AP High Court's appeal in the matter of Muslim reservations. This effectively means it has given a green signal to the proposed law on 4% reservation for Muslim OBCs in education institutions and jobs.
The quota will be applicable to 14 of the communities that were identified by the state government. Some communities that have been excluded are the Khans, Syeds, Pathans and Mughals.
The High Court had, earlier,
termed a separate quota for Muslims as unsustainable and unconstitutional, as 5 judges out of a 7-member panel ruled against a Congress government act proposing the quota. One of its arguments was that the law would cause people to convert to Islam just to avail themselves of the quota's benefits.
MIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi rubbished the argument, saying that it wasn't enough for a person to convert to Islam to get benefited - he must also belong to one of the identified communities as well. He welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, saying it will benefit 85% of Muslims in Andhra Pradesh.
The matter hasn't been closed, though. A constitutional panel will hear the case on 12 August 2010, when it is set to come up for a final hearing.