"It would be a blunder on the part of the Maharashtra government to provide reservation only to the Maratha community, while ignoring the demands of the Muslims. Financial and educational condition of the Muslim community is worse than that of the have-nots among the Marathas," Dalwai said in a press release here.
"Why can't Muslims be given reservation if Marathas can be, even though Muslims are leading very precarious lives," he said.
"What is the percentage of Muslims in government jobs and what is the status of their education? Why are they harassed by police?" he asked.
Dalwai alleged that even though members of the Maratha community occupy 80-90 per cent political and financial power centres in the state, the marginal farmers, landless labourers, unorganised workers among the Maratha community have not benefited.
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According to him it is the duty of the government to provide "special opportunities" to a community that is lagging behind in the society.
"We will make an announcement after June 20," Industry Minister Narayan Rane, who heads the special committee to study the socio-economic conditions of the Maratha community, told the Legislative Council two days back while replying to a discussion on the issue.