Farooq Junaidi, 26, has embarked on a padayatra from Kolar to Bengaluru to garner support and create awareness among community members.
Team Clarion
BENGALURU – In a bid to garner support for the restoration of reservation for the Muslim community in Karnataka, 26-year-old software professional Farooq Junaidi has embarked on a padayatra from Kolar to Bengaluru. The reservation, which was revoked by the previous BJP government under Basavaraj Bommai, has had far-reaching implications, particularly impacting educational opportunities for Muslim students.
Junaidi highlighted the adverse effects of the reservation’s cancellation, noting that many students from the Muslim community have been deprived of pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-based scholarships. Furthermore, individuals aspiring to pursue higher education abroad have faced obstacles due to lack of financial support. Recognising the long-term repercussions on the community, Junaidi felt compelled to take action through his padayatra.
Junaidi, also president of the Karnataka State Minorities Engineers Association, outlined his objectives for the padayatra. “I launched the padayatra seeking restoration of minority reservation under 2B category on February 24 from Kolar to Bengaluru, and also to create awareness about the reservation among community members,” he was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.
Junaidi’s advocacy extends beyond the padayatra, as he plans to meet key political figures, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Minority Welfare Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, and the chief minister’s Political Secretary Naseer Ahmed, to present his case.
Moreover, Junaidi emphasised the need not only for the restoration of the 2B quota, which previously allocated 4 per cent reservation to Muslims, but also for its enhancement to 10 per cent. Additionally, he aims to advocate for a 7 per cent Super Numeric Quota (SNQ) in engineering colleges to facilitate greater access to education for the Muslim community.
Junaidi’s padayatra underscores the ongoing efforts to address issues of social justice and minority rights, highlighting the importance of collective action and advocacy in shaping inclusive policies for marginalised communities.
