West Bengal News: The Calcutta High Court declared on Wednesday that a number of classes formerly recognized as Other Backward Classes (OBC) under the West Bengal Act of 2012 for the purpose of reserving seats for the state’s services and positions were unlawful. The West Bengal Backward classifications (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012, which established numerous classifications for reservation as Other Backward Classes (OBC), was overturned by the court.
Court’s Judgment on OBC Act
In a judgment on petitions challenging the provisions of the Act, the court stated that the services of citizens of the struck-down classes, who are already in service or have availed the benefit of reservation or have succeeded in any selection process of the state will not be affected. According to the new order, the OBC certificate that was issued by the State Government now cannot be used to get any job or any facilities. Almost 5 lakh OBC certificates have been cancelled after this order.
The Calcutta High Court‘s ruling, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a “slap on the INDI alliance,” as the TMC awarded OBC certificates to Muslims in exchange for their “vote bank politics.” “This is appeasement. These people say Muslims have the first right over the country’s resources. These people are giving government land to the waqf board to get them to vote for them. They want to reserve a 15% budget for minorities. They want to give loans, and government tenders on the basis of religion,” PM Modi said.
Mamata Banerjee Vows to Uphold OBC Reservations for Minorities
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded to the ruling of the Calcutta High Court by declaring that the state government will “not allow” the decrease of OBC reservations for minorities.
“Even today I heard a judge passing an order, who has been very famous. The Prime Minister is saying that minorities will take away the Tapasheeli reservation, can this ever happen? Minorities can never touch the Tapasheeli or tribal reservation, but these mischievous people (BJP) get their work done through agencies, they have got the order through someone but I will not accept this opinion.Those who have given the order should keep it to themselves, we will not accept the opinion of BJP, OBC reservation continues and will always continue” the TMC supremo said.
Amit Shah Accuses Mamata Banerjee of Unlawful OBC Privileges
Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified the conversation by accusing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of giving OBC privileges to “118 Muslim castes without any survey.” “Someone went to the court, the court took cognizance of this and all the certificates issued between 2010 and 2024 have been cancelled by the HC. Mamata Banerjee wants to rob the reservation of backward classes for her vote bank and give that reservation to Muslim castes,” the home minister remarked.
JP Nadda Criticizes Rahul Gandhi’s Silence on Calcutta HC Ruling
BJP national president JP Nadda says, “Rahul Gandhi roams around with a copy of the constitution but when the (Calcutta) High Court gives a decision on such an issue & Muslim appeasement is exposed then they remain silent. The people of the country will teach such people a lesson in this election. The people of West Bengal also will teach Mamata Banerjee a lesson.”
Shehzad Poonawalla Accuses TMC of Undermining OBC, SC-ST Quotas
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla comments on the ruling by the Calcutta High Court to revoke all OBC certificates awarded in West Bengal after 2010. He said, “About 5 lakh OBC certificates have been suspended. The High Court’s decision has shown how, only for vote bank and appeasement politics, Mamata Banerjee’s government gave the rights that were meant for the OBC community to Muslims on religious grounds.”
He added, “One more proof of appeasing a vote bank by snatching the rights of OBC, SC-ST people has come to light…When the Prime Minister even challenged them (INDIA alliance) to write in writing that reservation will not be given on religious grounds or by cutting it from OBC, SC-ST quota, they did not accept this challenge.”