Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari raised concerns about the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government’s handling of the Other Backwards Classes (OBC) reservation case. He criticized the government for its lack of urgency in addressing this crucial issue affecting numerous youths and families. Despite Supreme Court timelines, the state government’s alleged inaction has been deemed unfortunate by Patwari.
Significant progress was made in the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur regarding the OBC reservation issue. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf, began structured hearings on 86 petitions related to the 27% OBC reservation. The court outlined a clear roadmap for the hearings, dividing petitions into those opposing and supporting the enhanced quota. Arguments challenging the reservation will be heard first, followed by submissions from the state government and quota supporters.
The court’s initiative to categorize petitions and set a dedicated daily hearing slot from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. reflects its commitment to expediting the proceedings. Senior advocate Pradeep Sancheti will argue against the quota increase, while Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj will represent the state government. Patwari highlighted the historical increase in OBC reservation by the previous Congress government and emphasized the need for effective legal representation to resolve the ongoing legal disputes.
Patwari urged the government to prioritize the OBC reservation issue and ensure prompt action to protect the community’s constitutional rights. He criticized the absence of senior law officers during hearings and emphasized the importance of the government’s seriousness in addressing this long-pending matter. The Congress leader reiterated the party’s commitment to advocating for the OBC community’s rights and pushing for a resolution to the legal impasse.
