Christians in TN want quota scrapped

Chennai, Jul 18: Christians in Tamil Nadu want exclusive reservation for them scrapped and the plea was under consideration of the government, Madras High Court was told.

When a batch of public interest litigation (PIL) both supporting and opposing quota for minorities came up for final hearing before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice A K Gangully and Mr Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla yesterday,Government Pleader Raja Kalifulla said the government had received representations from Christians in Kanniyakumari District saying they wanted exclusive reservation for Christians to be scrapped.

'The State Government will take a final decision on either retaining or scrapping the 3.5 per cent exclusive reservation for Christians after consulting the State Commission for Backward Classes,' the pleader submitted.

He wanted an adjournment for three weeks but the Bench granted two weeks and postponed the matter to August four.

Earlier, Senior Counsel appearing for a petitioner said immunity under Schedule IX which protected the State Government's Act of 1993 was no longer available in view of the latest legislation carving out seven reservation for Christians and Muslims in the state.

UNI