Resolution at NCP minority cell meet: Ajit Pawar demands reservation for minorities in education, jobs

Addressing the convention at Vashi in Navi Mumbai, Pawar said that he would ensure that all resolutions passed in the conference are implemented. This is for the first time that an ally of the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) has openly advocated for reservation of minorities. It was the Congress—NCP government led by former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan that had extended five per cent reservation to Muslims in education and jobs through an ordinance, along with 16 per cent for Marathas, in 2014.

The Bombay High court had not struck down Muslim reservation but the next BJP government led by then CM Devendra Fadnavis did not convert the ordinance into an act. The issue is pending since then.

However, in a major goof-up, the resolution initially mentioned political reservation for minorities, which was later withdrawn by the party.

Pawar also said that the minorities should not fear till the time he is in power. “When there was an incident between two communities in Satara, I personally went there to bring everything under control. Till the time I am here, you need not fear. We all follow the law. I want to tell all of you that Maharashtra will continue to have rule of law and nobody will face any injustice. I promise you all,” he said.

“There was an incident on Mira Road as well. I immediately intervened and asked the police commissioner to meet the delegation. I have always worked to maintain law and order… we should celebrate the festivals of every community, every religion with happiness and warmth,” said Pawar.

Ever since Ajit Pawar quit the side of his uncle and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the BJP, he has been continuously claiming that he has not given up on the original ideology of secularism.

“We are governing the state by taking every community along with us. It is our responsibility to protect everyone… our NCP is a party of bahujans and minorities,” said Pawar.

The deputy CM also said that the Muslim community should not get distracted by the claims of others that his party has given up on original ideology.

Earlier, Pawar announced that the government would pay for college education of girl students with parents’ annual income less than Rs 8 lakh.

“It has been observed that many a times, the education of girl students is left incomplete due to the financial condition of the family. To overcome this, the state government has decided to pay for the college education of girl students with parents’ income less than Rs 8 lakh. This will be applicable from coming June,” he said.