NEW DELHI, Mar 6 (PTI): With Parliament ready to vote on the Women's Reservation Bill, minority and Dalit groups stepped up their demand for including the provision of quota for backward women and threatened to launch protests if the issue was not addressed.

Representatives of the All India Milli Council, Jamaat-e- Islami, Dr B R Ambedkar Seva Dal and Insaan Dost Committee, who have been vocal for introducing a 'quota within quota' for women from the Muslim community, Dalit and other backward classes, said they would agitate over the issue on March 8 and would attempt to gherao Parliament.

The Women's Reservation Bill is to be presented in Parliament for passage on March 8.

"If passed it (the Bill) would amount to injustice against the women belonging to minorities, Dalits and other backward classes...it would lead to further asymmetry in representation and would perpetuate the dominance of a few political families," AIMC General Secretary Manzoor Alam told a news conference addressed by representatives of various organisations.

He said the groups would converge at the Jantar Mantar on March 8 and would try to gherao Parliament.

"Even if the bill is passed, we will continue our agitation for an amendment to the original draft, and will take the issue to the electorate, who are key to the success of political parties," he said.

Mujtaba Farooq of Jamaat-e-Islami said they were in favour of the reservation but in its present form, it will not benefit women of the most backward sections.

Terming the Women's Reservation Bill as "regressive", Hyderbad MP Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that it was not in the interest of Muslims. "If the bill is passed then less number of Muslim will be able to come to the House. I would oppose it," AIMIM MP told reporters outside parliament here. Owaisi, however, said "the UPA government has undertaken some good steps for Mulsims like introducing scholarship scheme but the proposed bill is a regressive step by the government."