No stay, Supreme Court to examine EWS quota law soon

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has refused to stay 10% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections, introduced through a Constitution amendment last year. However, it will hear petitions against the law later this month.

The court had issued notices to the Centre in February following multiple petitions that challenged the law but had refused to stay the move even then.

It turned down a plea for stay, again, while fixing a date for a detailed hearing of all petitions filed by those opposed to the law.


A bench led by Justice SA Bobde, next in line to be chief justice, said it would not stay the law but would examine it threadbare during the hearing that will begin in three weeks.

Those objecting and supporting the amendment are fronts such as the Janhit Abhiyan, Youth for Equality, People’s Party of India (Democratic), individuals such as Reepak Kansal and Tehseen Poonawala and sectional groups representing Kushwahas, Backward Classes, etc.

Those opposed say that there is no constitutional provision for reservations solely on the grounds of economic backwardness.