Bhopal: A huge legal decision has come to the fore which is going to create a stir in the politics and education-job corridors of Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh High Court, while giving a historic verdict in the much talked about Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation case, has repealed the amendment law brought in the year 2019. Canceled completely by declaring it unconstitutional Under which OBC reservation was increased from 14 percent to 27 percent.
After this tough stance of the court, now the scope of OBC reservation in Madhya Pradesh has once again narrowed. 14 percent But it has arrived. With this decision, the picture has become clear for the youth who have been waiting for government jobs for a long time, but at the same time legal and political activity has intensified.
What does the new decision of the High Court say?
The main points of this latest order of the High Court are as follows:
- 27% quota rejected: Amendment law of 27% OBC reservation cancelled, now the quota under the old system will remain 14%.
- Relief on 13% hold positions: 13 percent posts in government recruitments which were blocked for a long time will now be filled with eligible candidates from unreserved category.
- Strict deadline of 3 months: Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC), Staff Selection Board (ESB) and all other recruitment agencies are required to complete this process. within three months Instructions have been given to complete it.
- Preparation to go to Supreme Court: On the other hand, OBC organizations and parties have expressed their disagreement with this decision of the High Court and have announced to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
87:13 End of formula and relief to youth
Due to the OBC reservation controversy, there has been a complicated situation in the government recruitments of Madhya Pradesh for the last few years. 87:13 percent formula Was going on. Under this, appointments were being given on 87% posts after releasing the results, but the disputed 13% posts were put on hold till the final order of the court.
Due to this system thousands of youth were going through a period of uncertainty. Now, after the order of the High Court, the way has been cleared for the appointment of eligible candidates from the unreserved category on these 13 percent hold posts, which is expected to provide great relief to a large section.
From 2019 to 2026: A journey entangled in the pages of court and politics
The entire controversy has been a long tale of political will, legal maneuvers and court battles:
- March 2019: The then Kamal Nath government took a big gamble by bringing an ordinance to increase the OBC reservation in the state from 14% to 27%.
- August 2019: This amendment law came into force officially, soon after which its constitutional validity was challenged in the High Court.
- 2021-2022: There was confusion in government recruitments due to court stay and legal hurdles.
- 29 September 2022: To resolve this deadlock, '87:13 formula' was given birth to in MP, under which 13% posts were reserved.
- 2023 to July 2026: The youth continued to struggle from streets to courts regarding hold posts and selection lists in various recruitments.
- 5 August 2026: After a long hearing and final arguments, the High Court had reserved its decision in this matter.
- 9 October 2026: Ultimately, the High Court, while giving its historic decision, rejected the law of 27% reservation and gave instructions to fill 13% hold posts in 3 months.
What next?
Even though this decision of the High Court has paved the way for the opening of many stuck recruitments, but after the announcement by the OBC class to challenge this decision in the Supreme Court, it is clear that this political and legal struggle for reservation is not going to stop yet. The country's biggest court will keep its eyes on this case in the coming months.