Skip to main content

Telangana’s Reservation Punt: A Supreme Court Query?

Hyderabad, April 6th, 2025

Telangana wants 67% of its jobs and college seats reserved for backward classes, breaching India’s 50% quota cap—a judicial red line since 1992. Facing legal headwinds, the state could sidestep the storm by asking the Supreme Court for an early nod under Article 143, a rarely used constitutional provision. Tamil Nadu’s 69% quota survived without such a gambit, but today’s stricter judiciary demands caution. Can Telangana pull it off?

The Article 143 Gambit
Article 143 lets the President, nudged by the government, seek the Supreme Court’s advice on knotty legal or public issues. For Telangana’s 67% plan—42% for Backward Classes (BC), 15% for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 10% for Scheduled Tribes (ST)—it’s a chance to test the waters. The state would ask: “Does our 2024 caste survey, showing 83.88% backwardness, justify busting the 50% ceiling?” The court’s reply, though not binding, would signal its leanings.

The Playbook
First, Telangana must frame a crisp question, backed by its survey (56% BCs, 17% SCs, 10% STs) and March 2025 laws. Next, it lobbies the BJP-led centre to prod the President—tricky, given Delhi’s wariness of state quotas beyond 50%. If successful, the Supreme Court weighs in, free to dodge or opine. Past uses—Kerala’s 1965 school law (approved), Ayodhya’s 1994 tangle (sidestepped)—show it’s a coin toss.

Why Risk It?
A preemptive query could avert a post-law slapdown, as Bihar’s 65% quota suffered in 2024. It signals transparency, blunts critics, and might clarify when the 50% cap bends—vital as caste debates simmer with the 2025 Census stalled. A cooperative centre shares the political load; a “yes” offers a blueprint, a “no” a quiet retreat.

The Court’s Calculus
The Supreme Court could nod if Telangana’s 83.88% backwardness mirrors Tamil Nadu’s 87%, but it’ll demand ironclad data—poverty, education, jobs—not just headcounts. Post-2007, it guards the Constitution’s core (equity, fairness), so 16% unreserved voices matter. A firm “no” echoes recent rejections; a hedge delays the reckoning.

Hurdles Ahead
The BJP centre, fond of its EWS quota but cool on state excesses, may balk—Telangana’s Congress rulers must barter. The court could demur if the ask feels too vague. Even a green light isn’t final; lawsuits could follow. This low-stakes probe beats blind defiance. A nation wrestling with caste and quotas watches.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unveiling the "Real Majority" of India

Unveiling the "Real Majority": Divya Dwivedi’s Critique of the Hindu Majority Narrative * In contemporary Indian discourse, the notion of a "Hindu majority" is often taken as an unassailable fact, with official statistics frequently citing approximately 80% of India’s population as Hindu. This framing shapes political campaigns, cultural narratives, and even national identity. However, philosopher and professor at IIT Delhi, Divya Dwivedi, challenges this narrative in her provocative and incisive work, arguing that the "Hindu majority" is a constructed myth that obscures the true social composition of India. For Dwivedi, the "real majority" comprises the lower-caste communities—historically marginalized and oppressed under the caste system—who form the numerical and social backbone of the nation. Her critique, developed in collaboration with philosopher Shaj Mohan, offers a radical rethinking of Indian society, exposing the mechanisms of power t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mallanna Unleashes TRP: A New Dawn for Marginalized Voices in Telangana's Power Game

On September 17, 2025, Chintapandu Naveen Kumar, popularly known as Teenmar Mallanna—a prominent Telugu journalist, YouTuber, and former Congress MLC—launched the Telangana Rajyadhikara Party (TRP) in Hyderabad at the Taj Krishna Hotel. The event, attended by Backward Classes (BC) intellectuals, former bureaucrats, and community leaders, marked a significant moment for marginalized groups in Telangana. Mallanna, suspended from Congress in March 2025 for anti-party activities (including criticizing and burning the state's caste survey report), positioned TRP as a dedicated platform for BCs, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), minorities, and the economically weaker sections. The party's vision emphasizes "Samajika Telangana" (a socially just Telangana) free from fear, hunger, corruption, and prejudice, with a focus on inclusive development and responsible governance. Key highlights from the launch: Symbolism : The date coincided with Periyar Jayanti and V...
Post a Comment
Read more

Casteist Indian Bankers: Caste Bias Still Haunts Indian Banking

The Problem: Caste discrimination continues to plague the Indian banking sector, limiting access to credit for millions of lower-caste citizens. Data Point: A study  found that Scheduled Tribes (STs) face a 5-7% lower loan approval rate compared to higher castes, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors. How it Works: Discrimination in Action: Lower-caste individuals often encounter: Higher rejection rates for loan applications. Smaller loan amounts compared to higher-caste applicants. Less favorable terms, such as higher interest rates and stricter collateral requirements. The "Depositors, Not Borrowers" Mindset: Banks often view lower-caste individuals primarily as depositors, not as creditworthy borrowers. The Impact: Limited Economic Mobility: Restricted access to credit hampers entrepreneurship, reduces income growth, and perpetuates poverty cycles within marginalized communities. Reliance on Informal Lenders: The lack of access to formal ba...
Post a Comment
Read more