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Key Points

The Telangana government is gearing up for a legal battle over its decision to increase BC reservations to 42%. State ministers rushed to Delhi to consult with top lawyers who will represent them in the Supreme Court. They argue the reservation is backed by proper caste survey data and follows Supreme Court guidelines. The government remains confident the court will uphold their decision despite petitions challenging the quota as unconstitutional.

Key Points: Telangana Defends 42 Percent BC Reservations in Supreme Court

  • Telangana ministers held crucial talks with senior lawyers Abhishek Singhvi and Siddharth Dave in Delhi
  • Government cites Supreme Court's Indira Sahini case allowing quotas beyond 50%
  • Reservation based on comprehensive caste survey and BC Commission analysis
  • Petitioners claim 42% quota violates constitutional 50% cap on reservations
3 min read

BC reservations: Telangana prepares to put forth strong arguments in SC

Telangana government argues for 42% BC quota citing caste survey data, with ministers meeting top lawyers to defend the reservation policy in Supreme Court.

BC reservations: Telangana prepares to put forth strong arguments in SC
"We are confident that the Supreme Court would uphold the GO - Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka"

Hyderabad, Oct 6

With the Telangana government’s decision to enhance reservation for Backward Classes to 42 per cent challenged in the Supreme Court, the state government has initiated steps to put forth strong arguments.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Vakiti Srihari, who rushed to Delhi on Sunday night, held talks with senior lawyers Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Siddharth Dave on Monday.

Singhvi, who is also a Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, and Dave are likely to appear on behalf of the state government in the Supreme Court and defend the move to provide 42 per cent reservations to Backward Classes (BCs) in local bodies.

Government lawyer Shravan Kumar and Congress BC Cell chairman Anil Jaihind also attended the meeting.

The Deputy CM and ministers explained to the lawyers that the government issued the GO for 42 per cent reservations for BCs in local bodies by duly following the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court.

They also told the lawyers that the GO was issued after conducting the caste survey, obtaining the empirical data of the BCs, appointment of a dedicated BC Commission and expert group’s analysis of the caste survey report.

The Supreme Court is set to take up for hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Government Order.

The petitions were filed by Reddy Jagruthi leader B. Madhava Reddy and Vanga Gopal Reddy, who are scheduled for a hearing by a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta.

The petitioners argued that the GO is anti-constitutional and in violation of the Supreme Court's fixed 50 per cent cap on reservations. They also claimed that the GO violates the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act of 2018.

Similar petitions were also filed in the Telangana High Court, and the hearing is scheduled on October 8.

The State Election Commission last week announced the schedule for elections to rural local bodies. The elections will be held in five phases in October-November.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka told media persons in Delhi that they are confident that the Supreme Court would uphold the GO.

He said in the Indira Sahini case, the Supreme Court had ruled that reservations beyond 50 per cent may be provided based on empirical data.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said an attempt was being made to block the 42 per cent reservation for BCs.

He appealed to the petitioners to withdraw the petitions as 42 per cent reservations for BCs will not harm the reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Economically Weaker Sections.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
While I support social justice, crossing the 50% cap sets a dangerous precedent. The Supreme Court should ensure constitutional principles aren't compromised. Hope they find a balanced solution.
P
Priya S
BC communities constitute majority in Telangana. 42% reservation is justified when you look at the population data. The government has followed due process with empirical evidence. 👍
M
Michael C
Interesting legal battle ahead. The Indira Sahini case reference is crucial - it does allow exceptions beyond 50% with proper data. Let's see how the Supreme Court interprets this.
A
Arjun K
This is pure political drama before elections. Both sides playing caste politics. The real issue is development and employment, not just reservations in local bodies.
K
Kavya N
As a BC community member, I welcome this move. For generations, we've been underrepresented in local governance. This will ensure our voices are heard at the grassroots level. 🎯

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