Politics · India Bureau
Madhya Pradesh High Court invalidates 27% OBC quota law as unconstitutional
A High Court bench has struck down Madhya Pradesh's 2019 amendment providing 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes, ruling it violates constitutional provisions. The decision follows years of litigation on petitions filed by students from unreserved categories challenging the legislation.
LSN India ·
The High Court of Madhya Pradesh has declared the state's OBC reservation law unconstitutional, effectively nullifying the 27% quota introduced through an amendment in August 2019. The judgment came after an extended hearing process that examined multiple petitions challenging the validity of the legislation.
Students belonging to unreserved categories had mounted legal challenges against the amendment, arguing it violated constitutional safeguards and exceeded permissible reservation limits. The High Court's ruling appears to have accepted these contentions, finding the quota law to be in breach of constitutional provisions governing reservations in education and employment.
The Madhya Pradesh amendment had sought to enhance opportunities for OBC candidates in government jobs and educational institutions across the state. However, the court determined that the quota structure, as implemented, contravened established legal principles governing affirmative action policies.
The judgment is likely to have significant implications for reservation policies across India, particularly as several states have attempted to expand OBC quotas in recent years. Legal experts may examine the High Court's reasoning to assess potential challenges to similar quota systems implemented elsewhere.
The decision is expected to be subject to further appeals, potentially leading to extended litigation before higher courts. The state government has not yet issued an official response regarding compliance with the court order or plans for appeal.