Saturday, June 18 2005 19:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh unit of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (Jun 18, 2005) opposed the State Government's decision to provide five per cent reservation for Muslims in Government jobs and educational institution from this academic year.

Speaking to reporters here, the state unit BJP president N Indrasena Reddy condemned the decision to promulgate an ordinance providing reservation to Muslims.

He said the religion-based reservation is "dangerous and it would lead to division of the society."

Describing the decision as a "conspiracy" to keep its vote bank intact for political mileage, Reddy said there was a possibility of other States adopting the same path, which would be detrimental for the country.

"We are not opposed to enlist any economically and socially backward group among the Muslims in BC list as some of the groups like Dudekula, Laddaf, Pinjari, Noorbash and Mehtar have already been enjoying reservation, but bringing entire religion (Muslims) under the purview of Backward class is dangerous", he said.

"In a secular country reservation in the name of religion is totally ruled out, but the State Congress Government has taken the decision for its political gain," Reddy alleged.

The decision of Rajasekhar Reddy's Government was aimed to "appease" the Muslims keeping in view the coming municipal elections, the State BJP president said.