Supreme Court Reviews Bihar’s Reservation Increase for Backward Classes and Tribes
The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Bihar Government and others in response to a plea from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The plea challenges the Patna High Court’s decision to overturn amendments that increased reservations for Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes in jobs and educational institutions.
The Supreme Court has tagged this plea with another similar petition. The matter is being reviewed by a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
RJD and others are contesting the Patna High Court’s June 20 order, which set aside the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes) Amendment Act, 2023, and the Bihar Reservation (in Admission to Educational Institutions) Amendment Act, 2023. The High Court deemed these amendments violative of Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution of India.
The Bihar government, represented by advocate Manish Kumar, also filed an appeal. The Patna High Court had ruled that Bihar was neither a remote area nor out of the national mainstream, making the overbreadth of the 50% reservation limit unnecessary.
In 2023, the Bihar legislature amended both Acts to increase the reservation from 50% to 65% in jobs and higher educational institutions. The new quotas were based on a caste survey and included 20% for Scheduled Castes, 2% for Scheduled Tribes, 25% for Extremely Backward Classes, and 18% for Backward Classes.
At the time, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal-United was part of the Mahagathbandhan, which included the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress party.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and rules in the country.
Bihar -: Bihar is a state in eastern India. It has its own government and makes some of its own rules.
Reservation -: Reservation in India means setting aside a certain number of jobs or school seats for people from certain groups, like Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes, to help them get better opportunities.
Backward Classes -: Backward Classes are groups of people in India who have been historically disadvantaged and need extra help to get equal opportunities.
Scheduled Tribes -: Scheduled Tribes are groups of indigenous people in India who have their own unique cultures and need special support to improve their living conditions.
Scheduled Castes -: Scheduled Castes are groups of people in India who have faced discrimination in the past and need extra help to get equal opportunities.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) -: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) is a political party in India. It works to represent the interests of certain groups of people, especially in Bihar.
Patna High Court -: The Patna High Court is a court in Bihar that makes important legal decisions for the state.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud -: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud is the head judge of the Supreme Court of India. He leads the court in making important decisions.
