Muslim Pasmanda Manch Seeks Uniform Guidelines as Backward Muslim Candidates Raise Concerns
Kolkata, September 7: The legal and administrative status of Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates and reservation in West Bengal has once again come under scrutiny, with questions surrounding the status of 77 communities added to the OBC list after 2010 resurfacing following the Calcutta High Court’s 2024 judgment and subsequent legal developments.
Candidates relying on OBC reservation for government jobs, educational admissions and competitive examinations are particularly concerned about the ongoing reverification and renewal of their certificates.
The issue has gained further significance following the withdrawal of pending appeals before the Supreme Court by the state government and the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission in July 2026.
Meanwhile, leaders associated with the Muslim Pasmanda Manch have raised concerns over alleged administrative difficulties faced by some candidates during the reverification and renewal of OBC certificates.
Abdul Qaiyum Ansari, Vice-President of the All India Muslim Pasmanda Manch, West Bengal, has appealed to the organisation’s national president Javed Malik to intervene and raise the matter with the concerned authorities.
In a letter to Malik, Ansari stated that the reverification process for OBC certificates issued since 2011 was initiated under the state government’s directive dated May 14, 2026. However, according to the organisation, some certificate holders are facing difficulties during verification before SDOs and other competent authorities.
The organisation claimed that such issues have created anxiety among young candidates, particularly those preparing for WB Civil Service examinations.
Ansari alleged that in some cases, objections are being raised over minor differences in the community name or surname mentioned in official documents belonging to candidates or their parents. He urged authorities not to question the OBC status of eligible candidates merely because of such minor variations, and instead examine all relevant government documents and applicable rules.
He also called for the uniform implementation of the relevant rules and government orders, including Government Order No. BCW/MR-59/10/1464 dated April 30, 2010, arguing that eligible candidates should not be subjected to additional conditions beyond those prescribed under official guidelines.
Meanwhile, Ashraf Raza Ansari claimed that some candidates are allegedly being asked to provide proof of their traditional occupation, particularly their association with weaving.
Sirajuddin Dewan, President of the West Bengal Muslim Pasmanda Manch, said the socio-economic conditions of backward Muslim communities have changed over time, with members now working in education, government and private employment, business and other sectors.
He argued that in such circumstances, a person’s present occupation should not be treated as compulsory proof of community identity.
Dewan warned that if administrative hurdles continue during the reverification process, the educational admissions, employment opportunities and competitive examination prospects of many young candidates could be affected.
The Muslim Pasmanda Manch has urged the Backward Classes Welfare (BCW) Department and other competent authorities to issue clear and uniform guidelines to all SDOs and concerned officials regarding OBC certificate reverification.
The organisation said uniform instructions would help ensure that the verification process remains transparent, fair and strictly in accordance with the prescribed rules.
Meanwhile, a programme held under the leadership of Iqbal Ansari, National General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Muslim Pasmanda Manch, also discussed OBC certificate verification and various issues concerning backward communities. Shakil Ansari, Abdul Ghaffar and Taj Mohammad Haldar, among others, attended the programme.
