Demanding 5 percent reservation for the ‘Desi Muslims of the Plain Belt’ from the general pool, TMC MLA from Rajabala constituency Dr Mizanur Rahman Kazi submitted a suggestion to the Expert Committee on Reservation citing various historical references of the Muslim community living in the plain belt of Garo Hills.
“I’ve tried to depict the history of the people of the plain belt of Garo Hills,” the Rajabala legislator said.
Dr Kazi on his suggestion mentioned about the ancestral details of the Muslim population residing there since 1600 AD that is during the Mughal Era.
“The highlights basically see, the main issue that is happening is what is the origin of the people of the plane belt area? So I will try to highlight that. Basically if we go to ancient history, if you go way back in 1600 AD so we can see that those plane belt people were there on or before 1600 AD also history is suggesting that during Mughal era. So all these things exist, all these things are suggestive that the Muslims of that plane belt area, they are not a migrant from anywhere. Basically, they are living there, since the creation of the Place before Meghalaya was born in, during undivided Assam also and prior to that during Mughal era,” Dr Kazi.
Asked in view of Khasi Hills demanding more share on reservation and Garo Hills demanding status quo, do you think 5 percent is possible? the TMC legislator said this can be done without affecting the reservation quota of the indigenous Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities.
“We also demand a reservation of 5% from the general pool without affecting the reservation quotas for our Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia brothers,” he added.
Stating that the socio-economic conditions of the indigenous Deshi Muslims of the Plain Belt are pathetic, he said, “The predominantly agrarian community is significantly lagging behind in all aspects of socio-economic development and are perhaps the most economically disadvantaged community in the state.”
“ Therefore, Sir, with these humble submissions, I request you to kindly recommend to the Government of Meghalaya to consider the socio-economic realities of this impoverished ethnic group with empathy and recognize the Deshis as an Other Backward Class (OBC),” Dr Kazi added.
The state Government last year formed the Expert Committee to review the Meghalaya State Reservation Policy of 1972. The government’s decision followed a 10-day hunger strike called by Voice of the People Party supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit in May last year which received widespread support from the citizens in Khasi-Jaintia Hills.