In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Thursday set aside 10.5 per cent reservation in government jobs and admission to educational institutions to the Vanniyar community, one of the most backward people of Tamil Nadu. Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice B. R. Gavai upheld the judgment of the Madras High Court.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly had in February last year passed the then ruling AIADMK’s bill to give 10.5 per cent reservation to the Vanniyar community. The current DMK government had passed an order in July 2021 for its implementation.
He divided the total 20 percent reservation given to the most backward community and again divided the castes into three different categories by grouping and provided 10 percent sub-reservation to Vanniyar. Vanniyar was earlier known as Vanniyakula Kshatriya.
The bench said, “We are of the opinion that there is no sound ground to classify Vanniyakul Kshatriyas in one group to treat them differently from the rest of the 115 communities of the Most Backward Groups and hence the 2021 Act under Articles 14, 15 of the Constitution.” and a violation of 16. Therefore, we uphold the decision of the High Court.” Now the possibility of political heat in the politics of both the parties of the state has increased regarding this issue.
Earlier last year, the Supreme Court had rejected the 27% quota of OBCs for civic elections, giving a severe blow to the Uddhav government. The court had said that till further orders, the State Election Commission will not notify the seats reserved for OBC category in any body elections. Be it mid-term elections or general elections. This should be taken into account.
A bench of Justices AM Khanwilkar and CT Ravi observed that the State Election Commission cannot be allowed to go ahead with the election schedule already notified. The top court said the issue had come up before it earlier also. A three-judge bench had given its verdict.