Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated on Friday that he intends to hold discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis regarding the implementation of a five percent quota in educational admissions for the Muslim community.

In 2014, the previous Congress-led government had introduced a five percent reservation for Muslims in educational institutions while implementing quotas for jobs and education for the Maratha community. However, the subsequent BJP-Shiv Sena government eliminated the Muslim quota while implementing a reservation for the Marathas.

Pawar mentioned during a meeting of the Minority Welfare Department that the five percent educational quota for the minority community had not faced any legal challenges like the Maratha reservation. He expressed his intention to discuss the matter with Shinde and Fadnavis before making a decision.

Pawar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, assured that the recommendations of a committee led by the Chief Secretary to standardize schemes implemented by institutions like Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI), Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research and Training Institute (SARTHI), and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research and Training Institute (MAHAJYOTI) would also apply to the Maulana Azad Economic Development Corporation. He indicated that the Azad corporation, which is established for the welfare of the Muslim community, will receive additional funding and should explore the possibility of linking its loan schemes to the recently announced PM Vishwakarma scheme by the Union government.

Also read: Maharashtra: Give 5% quota to Muslims in education, jobs: Dalwai tells govt