Designation Of 77 Communities As OBCs: Supreme Court Seeks Explanation From Bengal Govt

New Delhi: Two-and-a-half months after the Calcutta High Court cancelled all Other Backward Classes (OBCs) certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Mamata Banerjee-helmed state government to provide a detailed explanation for its decision to designate 77 communities as OBCs.

The top court said that the state will have to produce data on the social backwardness and inadequacy of representation of the designated communities, majority of which are Muslims.

The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, was hearing an appeal by the state against a ruling the high court’s ruling on May 22 which declared the classification process illegal.

The Supreme Court bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, issued notice on the state’s appeal and considered its plea to stay the judgment of the high court.

Before deciding on any relief, however, the bench said that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government submit an affidavit by August 11, explaining the criteria and procedures used to classify these communities as OBCs.

“The state of West Bengal would submit an affidavit explaining the process for the inclusion of 77 communities as OBCs. It will explain specifically that nature of the survey carried out as regards the inadequacy of representation and social backwardness of these communities,” the bench stated, fixing August 16 as the next date of hearing.

The bench instructed the state to clarify whether consultations were held with the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission and, if so, provide details of such discussions.