Quota in higher education and jobs should be brought down: Kerala HC

In a landmark judgment, Kerala High Court today held it was time that reservation in higher education and employment was gradually brought down as the socio-economic conditions of SC and ST communities and other backward classes had undergone a 'revolutionary' change.

These communities must realise that government's "over indulgence" in extending various benefits will only "stunt their growth" and time has come to "awaken these communities from the slumber of satiated insouciance", the court said.

A Division Bench, comprising chief justice SR Bannurmath and justice AK Basheer, observed "The higher the competition level, the greater will be the advantage for the people belonging tobackward communities."

The court's observations came while dismissing a petition by the Muslim Jamath Council which had challenged a government order reserving few seats to students belonging to economically weaker sections of forward communities in government colleges and departments in universities at graduate and post-graduate levels.

Excellence in education and professional fields can be achieved only if there is competitiveness.

It must be ensured by all concerned that members of these communities are made to compete with the best in the country and they must earn their admission in education in general list at least at the higher postgraduate level by competing with meritorious students, the judges observed.

The bench said the petitioner's contention was "totally uncharitable", noting that "poverty or economic backwardness is the worst form of social evil".

In the prevailing scenario, social and economic backwardness among forward class in Kerala has created a "social havoc" after land reform legislation, the bench pointed out.

Castes and communities which suffered oppression and discriminatory treatment in the yesteryear had now started to enjoy almost equal status in all works of life, it said.

Addressing the contentions of the petitioner, the bench said the Muslim community has undergone tremendous changes for the better, especially over the last few years.

"It is time the community leaders must think of shedding the backward tag and getting prepared to compete with others for a slot in the general merit category," the judges said.