West Bengal withdraws plea in SC against HC verdict striking down OBC status of 77 castes

The West Bengal government has opted to withdraw its petition in the Supreme Court that contested a Calcutta High Court judgment striking down the Other Backward Class (OBC) status of 77 castes. These castes were granted inclusion under the administration led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a move that was subsequently challenged and overturned by the judiciary.

The Calcutta High Court had previously ruled that the reservation benefits provided to these specific communities were invalid, citing procedural irregularities and a lack of proper data to justify their classification. This decision impacted thousands of individuals who were eligible for government jobs and educational quotas under the OBC category.

By withdrawing the plea, the state government effectively halts its immediate legal pursuit to restore the previous reservation status for these groups at the national level. Legal experts note that this development concludes a significant chapter in the ongoing litigation regarding the state’s reservation policies and communal classifications.

Source: PTI