Muslims urge Govt to amend statute

Hyderabad, Feb 9:  Urging the Government to take steps to protect their interests,  various Muslim groups in the State staged protests and rallies on Tuesday. The Muslim groups urged the government  to press for a constitutional amendment for reservations to the community in higher education and jobs, a day after the high court struck down the 4 per cent quota to the community, a third time.The seven-judge bench of the High Court which quashed a state legislation providing reservations to the Muslims disappointed the community in particular and the Cong-ruled state in general.

"When Muslims in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka are provided reservations, it is strange that the privilege is being denied to the community in Andhra Pradesh," said Asaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad MP and president of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, who thinks the recent verdict as a severe blow to the community.The High Court has set aside one government order and two legislations providing quota to the Muslims in the last six years. According to  reports received  from across the state, a  large number of students, including burqa-clad girls, came on to the streets protesting against the Court’s verdict  in many towns like Vijayawada and Warangal.