The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court that a July 2014 ordinance granting a 5% quota for Muslims in government jobs and education had lapsed in December of the same year. Consequently, a government resolution (GR) issued in February 2025 did not, by itself, scrap any quota for the community, as the quota had already ceased to exist legally.
Petition Challenging GR
The state submitted its affidavit last week in response to a petition filed by advocate Syed Ejaz Naqvi, who challenged the February 17 GR that allegedly cancelled the quota. Naqvi had termed the state government's decision as "racial discrimination" and claimed it was violative of the Constitution and against the interests of the Muslim community.
State's Affidavit
In its affidavit, the state government asserted that there was neither any discrimination nor any violation of the Constitution or other laws. It stated that "no reservation can continue without statutory backing". The government clarified that since the ordinance had lapsed, the GR merely reflected the legal position and did not cancel any existing quota.
The High Court is likely to take up the plea on May 4. The case has drawn attention to the legal status of reservations for Muslims in Maharashtra, which have been a subject of political and judicial debate.
