MP's OBC quota: History, politics and courtroom clash

The Supreme Court will from October 8 begin regular hearings on the Madhya Pradesh government's bid to provide 27% reservation for OBCs in state jobs. The issue has triggered controversy after parts of the state's affidavit to the court went viral.

The Mohan Yadav government has submitted 15,000 pages of documents to back its case. Some portions circulating on social media cite the caste and varna system, with references to Guru Dronacharya and Eklavya, to show how lower castes were denied opportunities in the past. This led to charges that the government had insulted ancient figures.

The state later clarified the viral extracts were not part of its affidavit. The BJP too defended the government, blaming "malicious propaganda." "The circulated document is the 1983 report of the Mahajan Commission, not of the present government," MP BJP media head Ashish Agarwal told ET.


The quota hike itself dates back to 2019, when the Kamal Nath-led Congress government raised OBC reservation from 14% to 27%. The move was challenged in the Jabalpur High Court for breaching the Supreme Court's 50% cap on reservations under the Indra Sawhney judgment. The High Court stayed the decision, leaving the matter pending until now.

With the Supreme Court taking it up for final hearings, the long-running OBC quota battle in MP is set to enter a decisive stage.