The West Bengal government has appealed to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing against the Calcutta High Court's verdict striking down the OBC status of several castes in the state. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the high court's decision was affecting the admission of candidates who have cleared the NEET-UG, 2024. The top court has scheduled a hearing for August 27 and has asked the state government for quantifiable data on the social and economic backwardness of the newly included castes. The high court had previously deemed the inclusion of 77 Muslim groups in the OBC list to be politically motivated and an "affront" to the Muslim community.
Kapil Sibal's SC Argument in West Bengal OBC Case Highlights Ongoing Caste Politics
Background:
The West Bengal government's move to grant OBC (Other Backward Class) status to 77 Muslim castes has sparked controversy and legal challenges. The Calcutta High Court struck down the decision in June 2023, calling it politically motivated and discriminatory.
Kapil Sibal's Supreme Court Hearing:
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal represented the West Bengal government in the Supreme Court on August 27, 2023. He argued that the high court's decision was affecting the admission of OBC candidates who had qualified for NEET-UG, 2024 medical entrance exams. Sibal stated that the delay in resolving the issue would cause "irreparable loss" to these students.
Supreme Court's Response:
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for August 27, 2023, and has asked the state government to provide quantifiable data on the social and economic backwardness of the newly included castes. The court's decision on this issue will have significant implications for caste politics in West Bengal and beyond.
Top 5 FAQs:
1. Why did the Calcutta High Court strike down the OBC status for Muslim castes?
The high court ruled that the inclusion of Muslim castes was politically motivated and an "affront" to the Muslim community, as it violated the principle of non-discrimination based on religion.
2. What is the West Bengal government's argument in the Supreme Court?
The government contends that the high court's decision is discriminatory and is affecting the admission of OBC candidates into medical schools.
3. What is the Supreme Court's stance on the issue?
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing to consider the quantifiable data provided by the state government on the social and economic backwardness of the newly included castes.
4. What does this case reveal about caste politics in West Bengal?
The case highlights the ongoing caste-based politics in West Bengal, where different communities are competing for benefits granted on the basis of backwardness.
5. What are the potential consequences of the Supreme Court's decision?
The Supreme Court's decision will determine whether the OBC status granted to Muslim castes in West Bengal is valid or not, which could have implications for similar cases in other states and for caste politics in general.
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