... Our whole movement is based on a one-point programme of shifting the "Dalit Muslims" to the Scheduled Caste list for which we need inclusion of the word "Muslim" along with Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist in the Presidential Order of 1950.

We realise that by the inclusion of "Dalit Muslims" in the SC reservation quota, there will be an apparent over- loading in this quota. But this can be sorted out by increasing the SC quota itself later on. By such a shift, two benefits will accrue to OBC's.

1) The pressure on the quota for OBC's, who are getting only 27 per cent reservation (almost half) in spite of constituting 52 per cent of the total Indian population, will be reduced.

2) The more important one is after coming into the same reservation quota along with the SC/STs, there will develop a greater bond of friendship, unity and brotherhood between Dalits and Muslims who despite being blood relatives are kept divided on religious ground to weaken the Dalit movement (Dalit Shakti).

All aboriginal Muslims residing in tribal areas in various parts of the country should be declared as Tribal Muslims: like those of Lakshadweep ... (Source: The Dalit Voice)

Shahabuddin's Response Letter to Dalit Voice, 26 July, 1999

Apropos Dr. M. Ejaz Ali's latest statements, no one has suggested that the Hindu OBC's be merged with the (Hitrdu) SC's. So why should Muslim OBC's be included in SC's?

Secondly, some Muslim sub-communities which have the same hereditary occupation as the SC's, have been included in the list of OBC's. How would their fortunes improve if they are shifted to the SC List?

Thirdly, the real issue is a separate quota for the Muslim community, as a community or at least a separate quota for the Muslim OBC's who, according to Dr. Ali, constitute 90 per cent of the Muslims. Muslims or Muslim OBC's will not get their due so long as they are bracketted with Hindu OBC's or SC's in the prevailing social environment. Why doesn't Mr. Ali devote his not inconsiderable energy to a separate quota for Muslim OBC's which would include the Muslim SC's also ?.

For his information, all Muslims of Lakshadweep and some groups in I&K and elsewhere are already listed as ST's because there is no religious condition for recognition as ST.