The news is that the government is considering accommodating the backward Muslims within the 27 per cent quota fixed for Other Backward Classes, as per the Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Thursday, New Delhi.

The indication comes even as principal players in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh have been demanding reservation for Muslims in education and jobs in election campaigns, which has a sizeable population of Muslims.

"Of the 27% OBC quota in jobs, the government is examining to fix a quota for backward Muslims," Salman Khurshid told reporters outside Parliament. He added "We have now reached two and-a-half years of our term in Parliament. Therefore, whatever we have promised, now we have to start ticking that we have now fulfilled our promises. The decision will now come up before the Cabinet soon."

He also said under the law all reservations can only be on the basis of OBCs. "Indira Sahni judgment is what we can go by in this regard.”

Tamil Nadu has 3.5% reservation for Muslims within 27% quota for Backward castes, while Congress ruled Andhra Pradesh has given 4% reservation to Muslims, which was upheld by the Supreme Court.