SC upholds reservation for backward Muslims in Andhra
merisarkar news service
New Delhi, March 25, 2010
SC allows 4% reservation to backward Muslims in Andhra
The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted Andhra Pradesh to provide four per cent reservation in jobs and education for backward members of the Muslims.
However, the three judge bench of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, BS Chauhan and JM Panchal referred the matter to a constitutional bench to decide on its validity.
The bench said that since it involves important questions of Constitution, they are referring the matter to a Constitution bench which will hear the case in the second week of August.
The bench was hearing a special leave petition filed by Andhra Government challenging the decision of a seven judge bench of Andhra High Court which had annulled the order on the ground that it was unconstitutional.
Andhra High court had said that the benefits of reservation can not be extended on the basis of religion.
