JD(U) Pushes for Constitutional Amendment to Secure Reservation

JD(U) leader KC Tyagi advocates for including reservation in the ninth schedule of the constitution following the Supreme Court's refusal to stay Patna High Court's judgment against Bihar's increased quota. Tyagi emphasizes the need for a caste census and urges the government for constitutional amendments to protect reservation policies.

On Monday, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi called for the inclusion of reservation in the ninth schedule of the Indian constitution, stressing the party's support for a caste census. Tyagi's remarks came after the Supreme Court declined to stay a Patna High Court order that annulled state amendments aimed at increasing quotas for certain sections.

"The apex court's decision is unfavorable for the weaker sections," Tyagi stated. "We insist that reservations be included in the ninth schedule to shield them from judicial review. Our party also advocates for conducting a caste census nationwide."

Tyagi affirmed the party's ongoing efforts to push for a constitutional amendment. The Supreme Court, on Monday, did not stay the Patna High Court's order which invalidated Bihar's amendments to boost reservations for Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes in jobs and educational institutions.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has scheduled a detailed hearing for September. Besides CJI, the bench includes justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. In June, the Patna High Court declared that the Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Act, 2023, and The Bihar (In admission in Educational Institutions) Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023, contravened the equality principles enshrined in Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution.

The Bihar legislature had amended both Acts in 2023, increasing the reservation from 50% to 65% in jobs and higher educational institutions. Responding to a caste survey, the state increased the quota for Scheduled Castes to 20%, Scheduled Tribes to 2%, Extremely Backward Classes to 25%, and Backward Classes to 18%.

(With inputs from agencies.)