Advisor to Telangana Government and senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir celebrated the achievement of 11 students from Nizamabad, who secured MBBS seats under the 4% Muslim reservation scheme.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony at Knowledge Park School in Nizamabad on Sunday, Shabbir Ali emphasised the transformative impact of the reservation policy, while cautioning against efforts to revoke it.
The event, organised alongside a science fair, recognised Shabbir Ali’s pivotal role in introducing the reservation policy during his tenure as the Minority Welfare Minister.
The management of Knowledge Park School, along with Crescent School, felicitated 11 of their students who secured MBBS seats under the reservation policy.
Shabbir Ali praised their achievements, calling it a testament to how the policy has uplifted marginalised communities.
“Nearly 1,225 minority students have gained admission to MBBS in the current academic year, either through the 4% reservation or on merit,” he said. “This is an unprecedented milestone that reflects how the right policies can transform the lives of the poor and disadvantaged.”
Reflecting on the historical roots of the reservation policy, Shabbir Ali recalled the issuance of GO Ms No. 30 on August 25, 1994, during the Congress government led by Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy.
He described it as a landmark decision aimed at creating equal opportunities for minorities in undivided Andhra Pradesh.
He further recounted the struggle under the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy-led Congress government in 2004 to implement the policy and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting it. “Even today, I am fighting in court to safeguard this policy,” he said.
Expressing concerns about recent political statements, Shabbir Ali referred to remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting a reconsideration of the reservation policy.
He warned against such moves, stating, “Neither Prime Minister Narnder Modi nor Amit Shah has the authority to revoke these reservations. Only the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench can decide their future.”
Shabbir Ali lauded the Congress party’s continuous efforts to support minority welfare, highlighting recent initiatives to allocate funds for minority schools and residential facilities. “The Congress remains committed to ensuring proportional representation for Muslim and Christian minorities across all sectors,” he added.
Reflecting on the 31-year legacy of the 4% Muslim reservation policy, Shabbir Ali expressed satisfaction with its achievements. “This policy is not just about statistics; it is about creating justice and equal opportunities for all. We must continue to protect and uphold it for the benefit of future generations,” he said.