The Imam of Delhi's historic Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Tuesday said the government committee seeking information regarding Muslims in the armed forces was necessary for the benefit of the community.
"There is nothing wrong in it. I think there is less than one per cent Muslims in defence services," Bukhari said when asked for his comment on the recent controversy on the issue.
"It is the responsibility of the government to recruit Muslims in all services according to the population pattern of the community," he said.
He added: "The Mandal Commission had recommended 9 per cent reservation for the Muslims in all state and central government jobs."
The high-level seven-member committee, headed by retired judge Rajindar Sachar, on Monday said its mandate was to prepare a report on the current 'social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community in India' and that no specific question was asked from any wing of the defence forces or the defence ministry.
Claiming that Muslims figure very less in the police and other paramilitary forces of the country too, the Imam demanded a white paper on their percentage in all such organisations.