SC Rejects Pause on Bihar’s 65% Quota Scrapping Order

Supreme Court Denies Pause on Bihar’s 65% Reservation Quota Scrapping

The Supreme Court has declined the Bihar government’s request to pause the Patna High Court’s order that scrapped the state’s 65% reservation quota for backward classes. The ruling continues to stir significant political and legal discussions.

Contents

Supreme Court Denies Pause on Bihar’s 65% Reservation Quota Scrapping Supreme Court’s Decision on Bihar’s Reservation Quota Bihar Government’s Response and Future Proceedings Upcoming Legal Proceedings

Supreme Court’s Decision on Bihar’s Reservation Quota

Overview of the Quota Scrapping Case

On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected the Bihar government’s petition seeking a temporary halt on the Patna High Court’s order. The high court had invalidated Bihar’s decision to increase reservations from 50% to 65%, arguing that it violated constitutional principles.

High Court’s Ruling and Its Implications

The Patna High Court’s division bench, on June 20, struck down the amendments made by the Bihar Assembly in 2023. The court deemed these amendments unconstitutional, citing violations of Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality and prohibit discrimination.

Bihar Government’s Response and Future Proceedings

Bihar Government’s Legal Strategy

Following the Patna High Court’s decision, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government filed an appeal with the Supreme Court on July 2. The government is challenging the high court’s ruling, seeking a review and reversal of the decision.

Details of the Reservation Amendment Bill

The Bihar Assembly passed the Reservation Amendment Bill in November 2023, raising the reservation quota to 65%. This included:

20% for Scheduled Castes
2% for Scheduled Tribes
43% for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
Provisions for Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs)

The bill, passed without Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s presence, also included a 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), pushing the total reservation to 75%. This exceeded the Supreme Court’s 50% ceiling on reservations.

Upcoming Legal Proceedings

September Hearing and Future Developments

The Supreme Court has scheduled a detailed hearing on the matter for September. This will be a pivotal moment for understanding the implications of the high court’s decision and the future of reservation policies in Bihar.