The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government seeking its response regarding the non-implementation of the promised 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in public employment and education. The move comes amid increasing pressure from opposition parties and civil rights groups who allege deliberate delay and political indifference.
A bench comprising Justices Suryakant and B.V. Nagarathna issued the notice in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the prolonged inaction by the state. The court asked the government to explain the legal and administrative reasons for not enforcing the policy, despite its approval in principle and sustained public demand.
The Congress party has taken a firm stand on the issue, accusing the state of failing its constitutional duty. Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath stated, “This delay is nothing short of social injustice. The backward communities of Madhya Pradesh deserve equal representation, and the government must act immediately.”
The petitioners argued that the 27% OBC reservation was announced in 2019 and even notified in part, but implementation remains patchy and inconsistent, especially in state-level recruitments and higher education admissions.
Legal experts believe the case could have wider implications on reservation jurisprudence, especially if the court presses for timely implementation and mechanisms of accountability.
The case has been posted for further hearing in August, with the Madhya Pradesh government directed to file a detailed affidavit.
