The case of Ashok Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (2006) is an important case related to reservation in India. The case arose when a writ petition was filed challenging the reservation to ‘unidentifiable’ and ‘undeterminable’ class about which, according to petitioner, there was no data. The petitioner challenged the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act 2006 and the 93rd Amendment to the Constitution of India, 1950.
It was emphatically highlighted by the petitioners that when the ultimate objective is classless and casteless in Indian democracy, there is no question of unendingly providing the reservation and that too without any definite data regarding backwardness. In essence, they contended that these measures perpetuate backwardness and do not remove them.
Petitioner’s Contention
- One of the major challenges raised by the petitioners was based on the allegation that there was no acceptable data for fixing the percentage of other backward classes. The petitioner tried to show that there was no rational basis for fixing the percentage of reservation at 27% for the other backward classes.
It was pointed out that the figures appear to have been culled out from some survey done more than seven decades back i.e. 1931 to be precise. Thereafter, there seems to be no definite data to know the actual percentage.
- It was pointed out that in Indra Sawhney case, the Supreme Court had laid considerable stress on having a Commission to identify and determine the criteria for determining the socially and educationally backward classes. It was surprising, it was contended, that there had been not even a single case of exclusion but on the other hand more than 250 new castes/sub-castes have been added. This showed that there was really no serious attempt to identify the other backward classes.
- On the other hand, there had been over-jealous anxiety to include more number of people so that they can get the benefits of reservations/quotas and this has been termed as “vote bank politics”. It was highlighted that even when a serious matter relating to adoption of the Act was under consideration there was hardly any discussion and every political party was exhibiting its anxiety to get the Statute passed. Crocodile tears were shed to show lip sympathy for the backwardness of the people.
- In reality, the object was to give a wrong impression to the people that they were concerned about the backwardness of the people and they were the ‘Messiahs’ of the poor and the down trodden. In reality, in their hearts the ultimate object was to grab more votes. The lack of seriousness of the debate exhibits that the debate was nothing but a red-herring to divert attention from the sinister, politically motivated design masked by the “tearful” faces of the people masquerading as champions of the poor and down trodden.
The Analysis of the Court
After hearing the both parties, considering the affidavits and documents filed by parties, and deliberating the precedents of Supreme Court about reservation, the Court concluded as follows-
- It needs no emphasis that Articles 15(4), 15(5) and 16(4) have to comply with the requirements of Article 14 and the discipline imposed in several other provisions like Articles 15(4)(a) and 15(4)(b), though, they form a part of the equality concept, each of which is so found in our Constitution.
It is a well settled principle in law that the Court cannot read anything into a statutory provision which is plain and unambiguous. A statute is an edict of the Legislature. The language employed in a statute is the determinative factor of legislative intent.
- The interest of no person, class or region can be higher than that of the nation. The philosophy and pragmatism of universal excellence through equality of opportunity for education and advancement across the nation is part of the constitutional creed. It is, therefore, the best and most meritorious students that must be selected for admission to technical institutions and medical colleges and no citizen can be regarded as outsider in the constitutional set-up without serious detriment to the `unity and integrity’ of the nation.
- The Supreme Court has laid down that so far as admissions to post graduate course such as MS, MD and the like are concerned, it would be imminently desirable not to provide for any reservation based on residence or institutional preference. However, a certain percentage of seats are allowed to be reserved on the ground of institutional preference.
- But even in this regard, so far as super specialties such as neurosurgery and cardiology are concerned there should be no reservation at all even on the basis of institutional preference and admissions should be granted purely on all-India basis. Further, classification made on the basis of super-specialties may serve the interests of the nation better, though interests of individual states may to a small extent, be affected.
- The need of a region or institution cannot prevail at the highest scale of specialty where the best skill or talent must be hand-picked by selecting them according to capability. At the level of Ph.D., M.D. or levels of higher proficiency where international measure of talent is made, where losing one great scientist or technologist in the making is a national loss, the considerations we have expanded upon as important, lose their potency.
- The inevitable conclusion is that the impugned Statute can be operative only after excluding the creamy layer from identifiable OBCs. There has to be periodic review of the classes who can be covered by the Statute. The periodicity should be five years. To strike constitutional balance there is need for making provision for suitable percentage for socially and economically backward classes in the 27% fixed.
The Court summed up the conclusion as follows-
(1) For implementation of the impugned Statute creamy layer must be excluded.
(2) There must be periodic review as to the desirability of continuing operation of the Statute. This shall be done once in every five years.
(3) The Central Government shall examine as to the desirability of fixing a cut off marks in respect of the candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). By way of illustration it can be indicated that five marks grace can be extended to such candidates below the minimum eligibility marks fixed for general categories of students.
This would ensure quality and merit would not suffer. If any seats remain vacant after adopting such norms they shall be filled up by candidates from general categories.
(4) So far as determination of backward classes is concerned, a Notification should be issued by the Union of India. This can be done only after exclusion of the creamy layer for which necessary data must be obtained by the Central Government from the State Governments and Union Territories. Such Notification is open to challenge on the ground of wrongful exclusion or inclusion. Norms must be fixed keeping in view the peculiar features in different States and Union Territories.
(5) There has to be proper identification of Other Backward Classes (OBCs.). For identifying backward classes, the Commission set up pursuant to the directions of this Court in Indra Sawhney No.1 has to work more effectively and not merely decide applications for inclusion or exclusion of castes. While determining backwardness, graduation (not technical graduation) or professional shall be the standard test yardstick for measuring backwardness.
(6) To strike the constitutional balance it is necessary and desirable to ear-mark certain percentage of seats out of permissible limit of 27% for socially and economically backward classes.
(7) In the Constitution for the purposes of both Articles 15 and 16, caste is not synonyms with class. However, when creamy layer is excluded from the caste, the same becomes an identifiable class for the purpose of Articles 15 and 16.
(8) Stress has to be on primary and secondary education so that proper foundation for higher education can be effectively laid.
(9) So far as the constitutional amendments are concerned:
(i) Articles 16(1) and 16(4) have to be harmoniously construed. The one is not an exception to the other.
(ii) Articles 15(4) and 15(5) operate in different fields. Article 15(5) does not render Article 15(4) inactive or inoperative.
(10) While interpreting the constitutional provisions, foreign decisions do not have great determinative value. They may provide materials for deciding the question regarding constitutionality. In that sense, the strict scrutiny test is not applicable and in-depth scrutiny has to be made to decide the constitutionality or otherwise, of a statute.
(11) If material is shown to the Central Government that the Institution deserves to be included in the Schedule, the Central Government must take an appropriate decision on the basis of materials placed and on examining the concerned issues as to whether Institution deserves to be included in the Schedule.
Reference
Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (2008)