Muslims asked to identify as a caste, mark Islam as religion in K'taka's social, educational survey
Bengaluru: Top Muslim leaders have reportedly decided that their community members must identify themselves as a 'Muslim' caste under the religion of ‘Islam’ during the Social and Educational Survey starting September 22.
The directive was made during a late-night meeting on Thursday, chaired by Minority Welfare Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, as reported by Deccan Herald.
The meeting also included Haj Minister Rahim Khan, Government Chief Whip Saleem Ahmed, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed, retired IAS officer LK Atheeq, and MLA Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, Bengaluru Jamia Masjid’s Imam Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi among others.
“We have asked all our community members to participate. During the survey, it was decided that our members should identify ‘Islam’ as religion, ‘Muslim’ as the caste and sub-castes wherever applicable,” DH quoted Saleem Ahmed as saying.
The decision is intended to help Muslims in Karnataka retain their reservation benefits. The ‘Muslim’ community in Karnataka comes under Category-2B with a 4% reservation. Sub-castes like Pinjara and Nadaf come under Category-1, which also has a 4% reservation.
The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes has recommended an increase in the reservation for Muslims under Category-2B, from 4% to 8%. Saleem Ahmed stressed that identifying sub-castes is critical, as many are linked to specific professions. “If those Muslims who come under Category-1 don’t specify the sub-caste, then they may be put under Category-2B,” he said.
The previous BJP government had decided to scrap the 4% quota for Muslims, citing that religion-based reservations were unconstitutional. However, the decision was challenged in the Supreme Court and was not implemented. The current Congress-led government maintains that the reservation is based on backwardness as a social class rather than religion. The 2015 survey found that Muslims were the most backward community in terms of livelihood.
Meanwhile, the state government issued an order on Friday directing a comprehensive survey of the social and educational conditions of citizens across Karnataka. According to the order, the exercise will be conducted by the State Backward Classes Commission between September 22 and October 7.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
