After the formation of a new government in Telangana, muslims were included in the OBC quota and were provided 4% reservation along with others. In February 2016, the Haryana government had faced an unprecedented violent reservation protest. This protest had fueled the issue of reservation and created a rift in the society. Reservations based on religion can spark the same controversy in Telangana if the Muslim appeasement doesn’t stop. The government in Telangana is relying hugely on appeasement politics which could be very fatal for the future harmony between Hindu and Muslims.
TRS government is spending huge money to appease the Muslim community and has spent crores on Muslims, by terming them a minority. Despite huge spending on Muslim appeasement, TRS government has promised 12% reservation in jobs and education which is an irony in itself. Telangana state BJP President K Laxman said, “TRS government is trying to overcome from its failures by bringing in 12 per cent communal reservation. Instead of focusing on good governance, welfare and development of the poor, KCR is resorting to petty politics”.
The muslim youth wants to look beyond the clutches of reservation and wants skill based jobs, something the TRS government has failed to provide. The recent student union electiond in Hyderabad Central University have sent a strong message to the TRS government, that skilled jobs are the only way ahead in the future. The percentage of urban population among Hindus is 32.6 per cent whereas the corresponding figure for Muslims is 74.6 per cent. This figure shows that Muslims are moving from rural to urban areas, which is a clear indicator of the improvement in their per capita income.
Muslim appeasement policies by the TRS will prove fatal. BJP government is focusing on empowering the Muslim community. The recent posture of government on Muslim Triple Talaq, Nikah Halala and polygamy are sure to bring a change in the society. These reforms have reflected the positive transformation in the image of the BJP which was previously considered as pro- Hindu. After the 2014 elections, BJP has emerged as the only party with a pan india acceptance. Its slogan “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas” is deemed fair for all communities and religions in the country. TRS government should learn from BJP and Sabka Vikas in the region should be its sole priority.