Terming it "unconstitutional", the Supreme Court strikes down the Maharashtra law which grants reservation to Marathas in admissions and government jobs. The Apex Court even refused to consider the 1992 Mandal judgment, which permitted a 50 percent cap on the reservation, to a larger bench for consideration.
While examining the constitutional validity of the 16 per cent reservation brought in by the earlier BJP government, the five-judge bench said that the move violated equality.
The Apex Court observed, "States have no power to add any caste to socially economically backward caste list due to the amendment made by Parliament." It further added, States can only identify the castes and suggest to the Centre...Only President can add the caste to SEBC list guided by the National Backward Classes Commission."
However, the Court also stressed that the admissions already made to post-graduate medical courses and appointments under the law shall not be disturbed following today's verdict. The Court also said that it is unnecessary to relook into the 50 per cent cap on reservation imposed by the Supreme Court in the 1992 Mandal judgment.
