A Muslim organisation has asked the Maharashtra government to reserve 10% of land in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) projects for Muslim entrepreneurs. They have also requested the government to create an industrial chamber of commerce specifically for the Muslim community.
The Muslim Welfare Association made these demands in a letter sent on May 20 to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Ahmed Jalees, the NGO’s Aurangabad city president, said the reservation should be similar to the one given to the Dalit community.
The organisation believes reserving land at MIDC for Muslim entrepreneurs will help improve the community’s economic status and bring them into the mainstream job market. They also want a Muslim Industrial Chamber of Commerce of India (MICCI), like the Dalit Industrial Chamber of Commerce of India (DICCI).
The letter highlighted that the Muslim community is lagging behind socially, educationally, and economically. It cited the Sachar Committee report, which found that in many areas, the condition of Muslims is worse than that of Dalits.
“The Muslim community is falling behind day by day socially, educationally, and economically. It is essential for the government to empower the Muslim community socially, educationally, and economically to improve their condition,” the letter said.
The NGO warned that protests will be held if their demands for reservation are not fulfilled.
