New OBC List Case: The OBC reservation debate in West Bengal takes a new turn. A new case has been filed in the Calcutta High Court, challenging the state government’s new list of 140 communities. The historic High Court building is once again at the center of this legal battle.
Allegation: A ‘Flawed’ Survey
The primary petitioner, Amal Chandra Das, alleges that the survey on which this new list is based is itself ‘flawed’. The matter has been brought before the division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, with the complaint that the list was prepared without following due process.
The Government’s Stance
After the High Court previously nullified the post-2010 OBC list, the state government conducted a swift new survey. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated in the Assembly that the new list is based solely on backwardness, not religion, and announced the restoration of 17% reservation in the state.
Future Hangs in the Balance
Due to recurring legal complications, the future of lakhs of students and job aspirants in the state is uncertain. There are fears that everything from admission processes to job recruitment could come to a halt. They are all anxiously awaiting the outcome of this legal battle.
All Eyes on the Hearing
The case was filed today, with a hearing likely next week. Will the court issue a stay on the survey? Will the state government’s new list get legal validation? The future of OBC reservation in West Bengal now depends entirely on the court’s verdict.
