Backwardness only criteria for OBC classification, says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday told the assembly that OBC classification hasn't been done on religion, the only benchmark for it being the backwardness of a community.

"A high court division bench order led to the exclusion of several groups from the OBC category. The West Bengal government took the matter to the Supreme Court," Banerjee said.

In compliance with the HC order, a public notification was issued, she said. All action was taken, abiding by the law, and it has been submitted to court, she said. There were a total of 140 recognised groups among OBCs. Banerjee said out of 140, around 61 are from the majority Hindu community and 79 from the minority community.