The state government should provide reservations to Muslims on the basis of their population, asserted the members, adding that Muslims comprise 25 per cent of the state population.

In reference to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s February announcement for providing 10 per cent reservation in government jobs to OBC Muslims, Chowdhury said: “The promise made by the state government is an attempt to mislead the people . They said reservations would be given to those who fall in the OBC category. But the fact is not even two per cent Muslims fall in the category,”

Claiming that even OBC Muslims are finding it difficult to avail of reservations, Chowdhury said: “So far about 12,000 applicants for the OBC category are lying with authorities in Malda district alone.”