Controversial Quota Increase Struck Down by Patna High Court

In a significant move, the Patna High Court struck down the Bihar government's decision to increase quotas for marginalized communities. The decision affected Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, raising their quotas from 50 to 65 per cent. The Congress has questioned whether the state will appeal to the Supreme Court and seeks support from the NDA-led Centre.

In a landmark verdict, the Patna High Court on Thursday nullified the Bihar government's decision to raise quotas for Dalits, backward classes, and tribals. The court's ruling comes as a setback to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's administration.

The struck-down law, enacted last year, aimed to increase reservation levels from 50 to 65 per cent for these communities. The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran, ruled this exceeded the 50 per cent ceiling mandated by the Supreme Court.

Reacting swiftly, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh urged the Nitish Kumar government to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court and prompted the NDA-led Centre to back the move forcefully.