Patna High Court Abolishes 65% Reservation for Backward Classes, Declares It Unconstitutional
In a major ruling, the Patna High Court removed Bihar’s 65% reservation for backward classes, Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes. A division bench led by Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran handed the decision in response to multiple writ petitions contesting the constitutionality of the reservation rules enacted by the Nitish Kumar administration in November 2023.
Court’s Decision on Constitutional Validity
Ritika Rani, one of the petitioners’ counsels, contended that the revisions to the reservation legislation violated the Constitution. “After hearing both sides, the court postponed judgment for March. Today the final order was issued, and our pleas were granted,” she told PTI-Bhasha.
Details of the Court’s judgment
According to ANI, the Court ruled that the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Act, 2023 and the Bihar (In Admission in Educational Institutions) Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 are unconstitutional. The statutes were determined to violate the equality provisions of Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution.
Background of Reservation Laws
The Nitish Kumar government formally passed these two legislation based on the results of the 2023 caste survey. The regulations sought to expand the number of reserved positions in jobs and educational institutions from 50% to 65%, benefiting groups such as SC, ST, EBC, OBC, and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Implications of the ruling:
The Patna High Court verdict has important consequences for Bihar’s reservation policy. It overturns recent revisions that attempted to increase the reservation quota, restoring the prior reservation restrictions. The decision underlines the necessity of upholding constitutional rights for equality and nondiscrimination.
Reaction of the Petitioners
The petitioners, represented by Ritika Rani and other attorneys, applauded the court’s judgment. They maintained that increased reservation quotas violated constitutional obligations and equity considerations. With the court’s decision, their challenge to the statute has been upheld.
Conclusion
The Patna High Court’s decision to eliminate 65% reservation for backward classes and other groups is a watershed point in the state’s approach to affirmative action legislation. As the Nitish Kumar government considers this verdict, the emphasis will most likely turn to striking a balance between maintaining social justice and sticking to constitutional norms.
Stay tuned for more updates and detailed analysis on this evolving story.
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