New Delhi, March 15: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, one of the largest socio-religious Muslim organisations in the country, has opposed any move to alter the existing quota system and demanded the government to continue with the present reservation policy saying “any alteration in it would do injustice with the sections of the society covered under the quota system.”

“The reservation being given to people from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Economically Backward Classes (in some states) is necessary and should continue to uplift those sections economically and socially. Though decades have passed since the reservation policy came into operation, their lot has not much improved, and that’s why it is necessary to continue with the existing reservation policy,” said Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary General, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.

Commenting on the recent controversy over prosperous people from reserved categories availing quota benefits, Jamaat leader said, “The Constitution has granted reservation to SC, ST and OBC to uplift the whole community, not individuals, economically and socially. As these communities are yet to be uplifted fully, the reservation policy should continue without any change.”

Jamaat leader, however, supported the demand for reservation benefits to the economically weaker sections who do not come under the reserved categories. But he made it clear that any such reservation should not be at the cost of the existing reserved categories.

“We are of the view that all economically weaker sections and individuals who are not covered under the existing reservation structure should also be brought under the quota structure. But this should not be at the cost of the existing reserved groups and communities,” said Salim Engineer.