Maharashtra's Contested Quota: The Muslim Reservation Debate

The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court that an ordinance from 2014 granting a 5% reservation to Muslims has lapsed, stating that a recent resolution did not cancel any existing quota for the community.

The state's affirmation follows a legal petition by advocate Syed Ejaz Naqvi, who argued that a February government resolution was discriminatory and unconstitutional. Naqvi labeled the revocation of the reservation as racially discriminatory, which the government denies.

The government contends that no constitutional provision was violated as the 2014 ordinance expired and legislative action had not renewed it. The legal challenge remains as the court considers the matter further.

(With inputs from agencies.)