BJP States OBC and Dalit Quotas Denied by AMU and JMI University

In order to counter the criticism from the Muslim clergy and scholars surrounding the denial of minority status from Jamia Milia University and Aligarh Muslim University by the government, BJP has played the ‘Dalit-OBC card’ once again. Social Justice Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot has praised the move of HRD minister Smriti Iranai on her decision to stop the minority tag for the two prestigious universities in Delhi. He said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulation to you for the clarification that Jamia and AMU do not have minority status but are central universities.”

The minister took this chance to play the dalit-OBC card as he said that these universities have intentionally used the minority status to refuse the reservations provided to the SC, ST and OBC candidates by the Indian constitution. He said that the move would create an inclusive society as the step taken by the union HRD minister is praiseworthy.  It seems to be a political move from the welfare minister to talk about the issue as the BJP is often charged with taking sides of the majority community and often face criticism from the minority community.

Jamia Milia University after achieving the minority tag has used its legal provisions to disband the SC, ST and OBC quotas. It has been subjected to protests from the activists including the National Commission for SCs. The BJP after the electoral defeat in Bihar has been focused to appease the dalit-OBC candidates for the forthcoming UP elections. It is willing to put forward the caste against the minorities and present an aggressive form of secularism in the national politics.