FILE photo: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court today cancelled the Centre's decision to include Jats in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category that entitled them to reservations in jobs and educational institutions. The top court also questioned why the government ignored the findings of a panel, advising against quota for Jats.
"We set aside the notification to implement Jats in the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBC)," the court said, adding, "Caste, though a prominent factor, can't be the sole factor to decide backwardness... Backwardness has to be social backwardness and not educational or economic backwardness."
The top court order came on a clutch of petitions including by OBC Reservation Raksha Samiti, which had challenged the previous UPA government's decision to include Jats in the central OBC list. The quota was announced on March 4 last year, just a day before the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls. The Narendra Modi-led BJP government, which swept to power in those elections, later backed its predecessor's decision.
The petitioners had argued that the quota was contrary to the recommendation of the National Commission for Backward Classes, which had opposed a quota for Jats on grounds that the community could not be classified as "backward" and such a move would deprive the more deserving groups of central benefits.
The top court concurred, saying the inclusion of a politically-organised class like Jat would adversely impact the welfare of the other backward classes.
"The Supreme Court's decision is a slap on the Congress and BJP... Centre can't include Jats just for political purpose is the view of the court," said Om Veer Singh, a lawyer for the petitioners.
"We will file a review petition in the Supreme Court and if it fails, we will take to the streets and launch agitation," said Col. OP Sindhu, President, Jat Reservation Sangarsh Samiti.
Quota for Jats was seen as an attempt by the Congress to improve its poll prospects in nine states where the community has a strong presence - Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Bihar.
After its thumping victory in general elections and ahead of the assembly elections in Haryana last year, the BJP government was seen to be endorsing the Jat cause.