Parliament is supreme, asserts CPI

New Delhi Apr 26 (UNI) Asserting the supremacy of Parliament, the CPI today said Constitution will be amended, if necessary, to uphold the legislation providing for 27 per cent reservation to the OBCs in higher educational institutions.

''Judiciary is not above Parliament,'' CPI Floor leader Gurudas Dasgupta told mediapersons in reponse to a query pertaining to the Supreme Court staying the 27 per cent OBC quota in institutions of higher learning.

At a press conference, Mr Dasgupta, along with C K Chandrappan, S Sudhakar Reddy and Ajoy Chakerverty, quoted from the debate on separation of powers in the Constituent Assembly wherein stalwarts like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B R Ambedkar participated.

He said while the judiciary had the power to interpret the law, Parliament can undo a judicial pronouncement.

While admitting that the caste system in the country is a ''reality'', Mr Dasgupta emphasised that the government was committed to uplift the socially and economically backward people.

He said efforts were being made to evolve a ''common approach" and all the parties wre being consulted in this regard to find ways and means to uphold the supremacy of Parliament.

UNI