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Indian Court Strikes Down Quotas for Backward Classes of Muslims

By Howard M. Friedman

In India, by a vote of 5-2 the High Court of Andhra Pradesh has held that the Andhra Pradesh Reservation in Favor of socially and Educational Backward Classes of Muslims Act 2007 is unconstitutional. According to New Delhi's The Pioneer today, the court also struck down two government orders under the law that had granted a 4% reservation to fifteen backward classes of Muslims in educational institutions and in jobs. The court held that the 2007 report of the Backward Classes Commission on which the law was based did not reflect true conditions. The ruling threw into doubt the fate of thousand of college and professional school students who have been permitted under the 4% quota since 2007. This is the third time since 2004 that the courts have struck down attempts by Andhra Pradesh to create set-asides for Muslims. the Hindu BJP argues there is no provision in the constitution for religion-based set-asides. The state will quickly file an appeal of today's decision with the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile according to today's Business Standard, the government of West Bengal announced a 10% set-aside of government jobs for Muslims there who are economically, socially and educationally backward.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on February 08, 2010 (boomark / email).