T’gana gets temporary relief in BC quota battle

The Telangana government has received a temporary reprieve from the Supreme Court in the ongoing issue over BC (Backward Classes) reservations. The apex court dismissed petitions filed against the state’s BC reservation policy, directing that these matters be taken up by the High Court, where the cases are currently pending.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the government’s arguments were strong, which led the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions. The bench, headed by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, clarified that the petitions filed under Article 32 could not be entertained at the apex court.

Supreme Court suggests High Court as proper forum During the hearing, the Supreme Court questioned the petitioners, asking whether approaching the Supreme court without seeking relief from the High Court was appropriate. Senior lawyers representing the Telangana government, including Siddharth Dave and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, presented the state’s case, emphasizing that the petitions were already pending in the High Court.

Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka later stated, “Our senior lawyers presented all key arguments in the Supreme Court. The court dismissed the case, which is a positive outcome for Telangana.” The case was closely monitored in Delhi by Bhatti Vikramarka, along with ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Vakiti Srihari.

High Court verdict will be crucial Under Government Order (GO) 9 issued by the Telangana government, 42% reservation is proposed for BCs. Critics argue that this may breach constitutional limits, as total reservations could exceed 67%. The High Court’s upcoming verdict will determine whether local body elections can proceed under the current reservation policy. Even if the High Court rules in favor of the government, petitioners may approach the Supreme Court again.

Political implications for Congress Implementing BC reservations is seen as politically significant for the Congress party, which has publicly promised such reservations in the Komaram Bheem declaration and conducted caste surveys accordingly. With BCs forming a significant portion of Telangana’s population - over 50% - Congress aims to strengthen its support among this community.

Legal hurdles remain Experts note that to legally grant 42% BC reservation in local bodies, the Parliament may need to amend laws or include the provisions in the Ninth Schedule to avoid constitutional challenges. Congress appears determined to pursue all available avenues to ensure the reservations are implemented, while also positioning itself as a party supporting BC interests.

The final outcome will depend on the High Court’s decision, and how political and legal developments unfold will be closely watched across the state.