EBC quota: Lawyers say it may survive if SC reviews '92 ruling

Ahmedabad, Apr 29: A section of legal experts today was of the view that Gujarat government's decision to give 10 per cent reservation to the Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) would not stand the current legal test though some felt it can survive if the apex court were to reconsider its 1992 judgement.

Senior advocate Girish Patel said reservation cannot be granted purely on the ground of economic backwardness as it is not a criterion considered by the Constitution.

Citing the 1992 judgement of the Supreme Court in Indra Sawhney V/s the Union, Patel said the quota also cannot exceed 50 per cent, and with 10 per cent EBC quota, the total reservation in Gujarat will be 59 per cent.

"In that landmark judgement, apex court also declared separate reservations for economically backward among general castes as invalid, as the Constitution does not have that provision," said Patel. The Constitution takes into account the educational and social backwardness but not the economic condition, and therefore the state may lose in the court if the EBC quota is challenged, he said.

"If you go by the economic condition, than entire country would become eligible for reservation. I believe reservation for EBC will not stand in the court of law, as it violates the SC verdict as well as the basic object of reservation as mentioned in the Constitution," added Patel. Another senior lawyer, Yatin Oza, cited a Gujarat High Court verdict of 1994 and claimed the new provision will fall through in the court.

PTI