SC will take up petitions against 10 per cent quota on April 8

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday deferred its hearing till April 8 on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections of society in employment and educational institutions.

The apex court had already said that it would not stay the operation of the amendment to provide 10 per cent reservation for economically backward communities. The Centre had justified the quota and said the amendment was brought in to promote social equality by providing opportunities in higher education and employment to those who have been excluded by virtue of their economic status.  

During the resumed hearing on Thursday, senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for one of the petitioners, told a bench of Justices S.A. Bobde and Abdul Nazeer that the hearing should not be delayed as this would lead to massive appointments. He also pleaded for referring the matter for hearing by a five-judge Constitution Bench.

Attorney-general K.K. Venugopal, however, opposed the matter being referred for hearing by a Constitution Bench. Justice Bobde then told the counsel that the matter would be listed on April 8.

The petitions filed seek the quashing of the Constitution (103 Amendment) Act, 2019.