New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the March 4, 2014 notification by the UPA government extending OBC reservation to Jats in nine states, ignoring the recommendation of the National Commission for Backward Classes to the contrary.
An apex court bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said: "We can't agree that politically organised Jats are backward class so as to be entitled to OBC reservation.
"Inclusion of politically organised class such as Jats... can't be affirmed," said Justice Gogoi, pronouncing the judgment.
"Caste alone can't be the basis for reservation. We have to move towards contemporary criteria," the court said, citing the inclusion of transgender as backwards.
The then Congress-led UPA government had on March 4, a day before the model code of conduct for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls came into force, issued a notification extending reservation for Other Backward Class (OBC) to the Jat community.
Tuesday's verdict came on a bunch of petitions challenging the government decision to bring Jats in the ambit of OBC quota.
The National Commission for Backward Castes which was against including Jats in OBC quotas.
The petitioners contended that the March 4 notification was aimed at garnering votes in the Lok Sabha election.
The Narendra Modi government too backed the UPA decision, saying it was not inspired by electoral considerations but a bonafide decision in public interest.
"It is submitted that the central government has acted bonafide and in public interest," the central government said in an affidavit, supporting the UPA's decision.
Seeking the dismissal of the petition by OBC Reservation Raksha Samiti and others challenging the extension, the government affidavit said: "In the present case, the advice tendered by the National Commission for Backward Classes was rejected by the cabinet for the reason that the commission has not adequately taken into account the ground realities."
Covid 19 Vaccination: From April 11, government and private employees can be vaccinated at the workplace
New Delhi, The vaccination campaign can also be launched at the workplace from April 11 in states and union territories to check the growing cases of corona. This is being done to increase
After Shefali Jariwala's death, Mallika Sherawat's shocking statement came out, said- without botox...
The matter of Shefali Jariwala's death is currently a topic of discussion in the film industry. Shefali's sudden death due to cardiac arrest has shocked everyone. Amidst all this, the issue of
Naqvi on Population: Not a religion, the problem of the country is population explosion; Naqvi's reaction after Yogi's statement
While there is a demand for making laws for population control in the country, politics has also intensified it. BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi have advised people to change
Srinagar encounter will be investigated: Wife of doctor killed in encounter seeking justice with a one-year-old daughter, said- if the husband was a terrorist then give proof
Four people died in an encounter that took place on the evening of 15 November in Srinagar. The name of one of those killed is Dr. Mudassir Gul. According to the police, Dr. Gul was working as an
'India is everything to me: Akshay Kumar to give up Canadian citizenship, applies for Indian citizenship
Akshay Kumar recently talked about his citizenship in an interview during the promotion of his upcoming film 'Selfie'. Akshay Kumar says India is everything to him and he has already applied for a
IND vs NZ: India's Test team against New Zealand announced, Rahane will captain in the first match, Virat will return from the second match
The BCCI selectors on Friday announced the Indian team for the two-Test series against New Zealand. Virat Kohli has been rested for the first Test in the 16-man squad announced by the selectors.
China is again insolent on LAC: China's action in northern Ladakh built 200 shelters in Depsang
The Chinese army is again in action to make its incursions permanent on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has recently built more than 200 new shelters in the
Omicron reached America, increased uneasiness around the world, six travelers from high-risk countries in India turned out to be corona infected
As new information is coming out about the new variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, there is increasing concern around the world. Travel restrictions are being tightened further and flights are being
Indian Railways: Railways resumes special trains on many routes, see full list
The effect of the second wave of corona in the country has started to subside a bit. In such a situation, people started returning from their states to the metros. Its effect is beginning to be seen
Land ordinance unacceptable: Sonia Gandhi
New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday accused the government of favouring industrialists in the land acquisition ordinance, which she said was an "unabashed display
