“The law has to be amended by the Central government before several backward castes from the Muslim community could be brought under the list of those who are entitled to reservation benefits,” Burman said.

“According to our Constitution, reservation on the basis of religion is not allowed. I fail to understand how 10 per cent reservation can be given only for the backward among the Muslim community,” said the minister.

“Currently, seven per cent of jobs are reserved for the SC community in which 12 categories of Muslims are also included,” he said.

“With an additional 10 per cent reservation for OBC Muslims now, the total figure touches 17 per cent. How will we calculate what chunk of it will be available to Muslims?” the minister added.

Meanwhile, the CPM central committee’s mouthpiece, People’s Democracy, today hailed Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s initiative for 10 per cent job reservation for backward Muslims as “affirmative”.

Citing Article 16(4) of the Constitution, it said “nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens, which in the opinion of the state, is not adequately represented in the services under the state”.

Land and Land Reforms Minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah, who has been one of the most vocal cabinet members to have voiced support for the quota for Muslims, dismissed Burman’s apprehensions about the modalities of implementing the proposal.

“Identifying backward people from a religious community is possible and the state will have to introduce a fresh legislation.”

The CPM has already asked its minority cell to work out a mechanism for preparing a list of backward castes among the Muslims.