Quota cannot be the Answer.

With Jamia Milia Islamia getting the 'minority' tag through the quasi-judicial body NCMEI, Muslims across the nation are jubiliant, as they think they have won a big legal war. But quotas based on religion are unconstitutional. If at all reservations are to be there, these must go to the category of have-nots, no matter what their religion. Also in news recently was the Congress General-Sec's remark about asking for reservations for the 'minority' community in states like Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

This statement coming from the ruling party not only defies logic, but is also paving way for Muslims to be alienated further from the mainstream. There is a potential threat that even the historic Jamia might fall into the clutches of fundamentalists. Merit will take a back seat as well. If the parties go on politically appeasing each and every section of the population based on caste, creed, and religion, India will be a divided house.

It is a pity that the majority community, which after 22% SC/ST reservation, 27.9% OBC reservation, Kashimiri Migrant reservation, and now 50% Jamia-like reservation, has actually become the victimised 'minority' instead of the 'majority'.

If reservation at all has to be implemented, why not have it at the school level instead of having them at a higher level. Lets take an example of a poor Muslim family of four in some interior not so developed part of Uttar Pradesh. FYI the Govt. has decided to give CBSE status to Madarsaa's. Now when the time comes for kids to go to school, their parents are obviously going to send them to these Madarsaa's where the stress is given more on religious education rather than the modern education. This is the first stage where a Muslim child is discriminated against. After he/she gets done with the schooling, there's reservation again in college for them. This further alienates them from the mainstream.

The discrimination continues, and the political parties continue to reap benefits out of it. In the private sector its only hard work and merit which pays off in the long run and not reservations. So if a person gets a job just because he is a Muslim/Hindu then in the longer run there's a very low probability of that person's growth. Left unsatisfied, and dejected - the only way would be resorting to violence.

Reservation is a word misused by one political party or the other to cajole and fool Muslims. It should end. In fact, it is time Muslims are dissuaded from reservation and persuaded to launch themselves into the mainstream by hard work.

Now suppose the Govt. does decide to implement reservation at school level, it won't only give a chance for Muslim kids to grow up and study with kids of other castes/religions but also make them come into the mainstream arena. Given the same education in the school - a Muslim kid and a Hindu kid would stand equal and then merit can be the basis for further education/employment.

Those who are really interested in the uplift of Muslims should vigorously support the inbuilt social reform current growing in the community, promote literacy and education campaigns, insist on gender equality in family and inheritance laws, educate the girl child and create opportunities for the hapless Muslims so that they empower themselves through education and the acquisition of new skills and not through the "Reservations".

I am a Jain and even I belong to the minority community - but I don't want any reservation.