New Delhi, March 25: The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed 4% reservation in educational institutions and jobs to Muslim belonging to backward communities in Andhra Pradesh.
A bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan passed the order after hearing the petition filed by Andhra Pradesh government challenging the verdict of the High Court striking down a state law providing 4% reservation in educational institutions and jobs to the Muslim community.
The apex court in its order said that the reservation will be available only to Muslims who fall under the 14 categories mentioned in the schedule of the Reservation in favour of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of Muslims Act, 2007.
However, today’s is an interim order. The SC said that a constitution bench will be set up to decide on the issue; it will meet sometime in August.
Earlier, a seven-judge Constitution bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court had by a majority judgement of 5:2 held that the law providing 4 per cent reservation to backward class Muslims in the state was “unsustainable” and violative of Article 14, 15(1) and 16 (2) of the Constitution.
Attorney General GE Vahanvati mentioned the appeal on behalf of Andhra Pradesh government before a Bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and sought an urgent hearing saying the issue is important and requires some arguments.
However, his submission was opposed by senior advocate Ravi Shankar Prasad who said there was no need for urgent hearing on the appeal as the state government has envisaged reservation for Muslims on religious basis.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today promised that his government would take “all required legal steps” for implementing 4% reservation in jobs and education for backward class Muslims.
“With all seriousness and sincerity, we shall take all required legal steps to ensure that the benefit of reservation is extended to Muslims.
“Our ultimate goal is to protect the reservation for backward class Muslims,” Rosaiah assured the state Assembly, which coincided with today’s hearing of the Special Leave Petition filed by the state against the High Court judgment in the apex court.
–Agencies