Reservation politics gets full play

The Congress today suggested that the government convene an all-party meeting in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on OBC quotas in higher educational institutions. AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh also suggested that the government seek a judicial review of the order if need be.

"It is surprising that basis on which OBC job reservations were given by the Central government and upheld by the Supreme Court has been struck down by the Supreme Court," said Singh.

He said the apex court had earlier upheld job reservations for backward classes and was aware that no caste-based census had taken place since 1931.

"This was one law where there was rare unanimity among political parties. The judiciary has struck down a law that was passed unanimously," he said adding, "We would not like to take a confrontationist attitude towards the courts."

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the SC ruling was an "interim arrangement" till the next hearing. "If a better factual foundation is available, I am sure that can be used," he said, adding that the court did not say anything against reservations per se. The court just said that a better database was required, he said.

The BJP, however, said the government did not present its case well. "The government had undertaken the reservations in a competitive one upmanship between UPA ministers. This is not the way commitment to social justice is carried out," said BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.

"The BJP is in favour of reservations for scheduled castes and tribes, for other backward classes, and even for economically backward sections, while at the same time giving encouragement to merit. The UPA government, in its haste, has made a mockery of social justice," he said.

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat termed the SC ruling as "unfortunate and uncalled for". The CPI(M) Politburo termed the court ruling as "unfortunate."

"The judgement has ignored that there are clear-cut lists of OBCs in states. It is on this basis that may states have reservations for OBCs in educational institutions. The Politbureau calls upon the government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the legislation gets implemented," said the statement.

The CPI termed the ruling as "retrogade". "Parliament has to intervene effectively. Time has come for Parliament to have an effective say on this. It cannot be left to the judiciary," said CPI National Secretary D Raja.