The Hindu : New Delhi News : Academic Forum hails quota verdict

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Sunday, Apr 13, 2008
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Academic Forum hails quota verdict

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Academic Forum for Social Justice has welcomed the Supreme Court decision to grant reservation in admissions to students from Other Backward Classes in all Central universities and Centrally-funded institutions of higher learning.

However, the core dilemma with the decision is its definition of the creamy layer of society and its emphasis on keeping this section of the OBCs out of the benefits of reservation, said Forum general secretary Parthasarathi in a statement on Saturday.

“It is a well known fact that the Constitution does not provide for exclusion from the benefits of reservation policy on economic grounds and has advocated the creation of special provisions for the advancement of any section of society only on the grounds of social and educational backwardness of the citizens,” he noted.

“It is thus the exclusive right of Parliament to decide on the criteria of social and education backwardness of the population. The apex court by defining the criteria for backwardness has thus transgressed its boundaries and infringed upon the powers of the executive and legislature. We suggest that a special session of Parliament be convened on this issue,” Dr. Parthasarathi added.

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