Patna, Denying caste affirmative action among Muslims and Christians, who are "worse off than Hindu Dalits", amounts to religious discrimination and is therefore against the Constitution, a leading jurist said on Sunday.
The view was expressed by Faizan Mustafa, the renowned jurist who is currently vice-chancellor of the Patna-based Chanakya Law University.
Mustafa was addressing a symposium organized here by "All India Muslim Mahaz" on the death anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Abdul Qayyum Ansari, who is remembered for his staunch opposition to the two-nation theory that tragically led to the Partition.
He said, "It is true that as per the Constitution, reservation cannot be granted on the grounds of religion. But it is also a fact that casteism exists between Muslims and Christians as well. Some of these castes are worse off than Hindu Dalits." .
Mustafa added: "If these castes are denied the facilities granted to Dalits of other faiths, then it would be discrimination on the grounds of religion. In fact, denying such facilities would be contrary to the Constitution."
The remarks came against the backdrop of an intense debate over the extension of quotas to minorities, especially Muslims, in states such as Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka, which has been triggered by a strident campaign launched by the ruling BJP in the Center during the recent Lok celebration. Sabha Polls.
The function was also marked by the release of a booklet "Bihar Jaati Ganana 2022-2023 Aur Pasmanda Agenda" that seeks to highlight the condition of lower caste Muslims in the light of the ambitious caste survey conducted by the Nitish Kumar government.
On the occasion, former Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar, who heads the Mahaz, accused "all political parties" of "indifference towards the cause of Pasmanda Muslims" and warned of a backlash in the polls. Bihar assembly to be held next year.
Former minister and RJD MLA Mohd Israil Mansuri regretted the Patna High Court order quashing the increase in reservation for scheduled castes, which followed the caste survey that revealed that Dalits, tribals and class Backwards accounted for more than 80 percent of Bihar's population. .
Mansuri also urged the state government to move swiftly before the Supreme Court and seek restoration of the amended reservation laws under which quotas for scheduled castes were increased from 50 per cent to 65 per cent.
The view was expressed by Faizan Mustafa, the renowned jurist who is currently vice-chancellor of the Patna-based Chanakya Law University.
Mustafa was addressing a symposium organized here by "All India Muslim Mahaz" on the death anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Abdul Qayyum Ansari, who is remembered for his staunch opposition to the two-nation theory that tragically led to the Partition.
He said, "It is true that as per the Constitution, reservation cannot be granted on the grounds of religion. But it is also a fact that casteism exists between Muslims and Christians as well. Some of these castes are worse off than Hindu Dalits." .
Mustafa added: "If these castes are denied the facilities granted to Dalits of other faiths, then it would be discrimination on the grounds of religion. In fact, denying such facilities would be contrary to the Constitution."
The remarks came against the backdrop of an intense debate over the extension of quotas to minorities, especially Muslims, in states such as Bihar, Telangana and Karnataka, which has been triggered by a strident campaign launched by the ruling BJP in the Center during the recent Lok celebration. Sabha Polls.
The function was also marked by the release of a booklet "Bihar Jaati Ganana 2022-2023 Aur Pasmanda Agenda" that seeks to highlight the condition of lower caste Muslims in the light of the ambitious caste survey conducted by the Nitish Kumar government.
On the occasion, former Rajya Sabha MP Ali Anwar, who heads the Mahaz, accused "all political parties" of "indifference towards the cause of Pasmanda Muslims" and warned of a backlash in the polls. Bihar assembly to be held next year.
Former minister and RJD MLA Mohd Israil Mansuri regretted the Patna High Court order quashing the increase in reservation for scheduled castes, which followed the caste survey that revealed that Dalits, tribals and class Backwards accounted for more than 80 percent of Bihar's population. .
Mansuri also urged the state government to move swiftly before the Supreme Court and seek restoration of the amended reservation laws under which quotas for scheduled castes were increased from 50 per cent to 65 per cent.
