started · updated
Karnataka High Court strikes down SC/ST quota hike
The Karnataka High Court has struck down provisions of the 2022 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, ruling that the enhanced quotas violate the constitutional 50% reservation ceiling. The legislation, enacted under the previous BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai, increased Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation from 15% to 17% and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation from 3% to 7%, raising the total aggregate reservation to 56%.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K. S. Hemalekha held that Section 3 of the Act violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution by exceeding the 50% limit established by the Supreme Court in the 1992 Indra Sawhney case. The court also struck down Section 4 in its entirety, citing violations of Articles 14 and 16 regarding government service appointments.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara stated that the state government will discuss the ruling in a cabinet meeting and is considering an appeal to the Supreme Court. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized the previous administration for implementing the increases without adequate constitutional safeguards, such as Ninth Schedule protection.
Entities
Basavaraj Bommai · G. Parameshwara · K. S. Hemalekha · Karnataka · Karnataka High Court · Siddaramaiah · Supreme Court of India · Vibhu Bakhru
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The total reservation including Other Backward Classes (OBCs) reached 56% under the contested law. thefederal.com · www.newindianexpress.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court rejected the argument that a high population of backward classes justifies exceeding the 50% reservation ceiling. lawchakra.in
- [● 10 SOURCES] The 2022 Act increased Scheduled Caste reservations from 15% to 17% and Scheduled Tribe reservations from 3% to 7%. thefederal.com · www.newindianexpress.com · desitalkchicago.com · lawchakra.in · www.devdiscourse.com · +5 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The Karnataka High Court struck down Section 3 of the Karnataka Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act, 2022, because it raised total reservations above 50%. lawchakra.in · thefederal.com · www.newindianexpress.com · thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court noted the state failed to properly consult the National Commissions for SCs and STs as required by the Constitution. www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] The court struck down Section 4 of the Act in its entirety for violating Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. lawchakra.in · thefederal.com · www.newindianexpress.com · thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com · +2 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The reservation increase raised the total quota for SC, ST, and OBC from 50% to 56%. thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com · bazaar.businesstoday.in · lawchakra.in · thefederal.com · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Section 3 of the Karnataka SC and ST Reservation Act, 2022, violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com · bazaar.businesstoday.in · thefederal.com · lawchakra.in
- [● 5 SOURCES] The reservation law was passed under the previous BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai. thecsrjournal.in · bazaar.businesstoday.in · thefederal.com · www.thenewsminute.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara expressed concern that the ruling could impact social justice and education. bazaar.businesstoday.in
- [● 14 SOURCES] The 2022 law increased SC reservation from 15% to 17% and ST reservation from 3% to 7%. thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com · bazaar.businesstoday.in · desitalkchicago.com · eesanje.com · +7 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The court cited the 1992 Indra Sawhney vs Union of India Supreme Court case regarding the 50% reservation limit. thecsrjournal.in · www.tv9hindi.com · bazaar.businesstoday.in · thefederal.com · www.news18.com · +2 more