Congress alleges conspiracy behind confusion over 4% Muslim BC-E quota

Hyderabad: Former minister and ex-Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir has called for a high-level investigation into the recent confusion regarding the 4% quota for Muslims under the BC-E category in jobs and education.

In a media statement issued on Monday, Mr. Shabbir Ali welcomed the clarification issued by chief secretary A. Shanti Kumari but also questioned why the state government did not order an inquiry into the “fake” roster circulated in the media.

He pointed out that a copy of Roster Point No. 69 of General Rules showing a reduction in the 4% Muslim quota to 3% was circulated on social media in November 2022. Congress party immediately sought clarification from the state government, especially the chief secretary. In response, an unsigned rejoinder was sent to the media claiming that there was no change in the percentage. When the Congress party continued to build pressure, a few days later, Home minister Mahmood Ali went on record to say that the roster was morphed by some miscreants. However, no official complaint was lodged and no agency was assigned the task of tracing the miscreants.

Mr. Shabbir Ali demanded that the state government register a proper FIR with the cyber crime cell to trace and punish the miscreants. He also said that these clarifications were essential for the continuation of the 4% Muslim quota introduced by the previous Congress regime in 2004-05. He stated that a one percent decrease in the Muslim BC-E reservation would have hurt the interests of thousands of poor Muslims.

In the note issued on 23 January, chief secretary Shanti Kumari clarified that no changes had been made to the rules regarding the Muslim BC-E category. Roster point numbers 19, 44, 69, and 94 pertain to the BC-E category (Muslim), which is 4% and remains unchanged. BC welfare department principal secretary B. Venkatesham also issued a memo on this matter on 21 February.,