Supreme Court Defers Hearing Of Pleas Challenging Scrapping Of 4% Muslim Quota In Karnataka Till May 9

The Supreme Court today recorded Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's statement that his earlier assurance made on behalf of the state of Karnataka that no admission or appointment will be made on the basis of the impugned Government Order, will continue till May 9, 2023 and adjourned the pleas challenging scraping of reservation for Muslims in the state. 

On the last occasion also, the bench had deferred the hearing of the batch of pleas after the state government sought time till April 25 to file its reply. 

The Court had earlier recorded the assurance given by the state government on April 13 that no quota benefits in admission to educational institutions and appointment in government jobs will be given to Vokkaligas and Lingayats based on the impugned order.

A bench comprising Justice KM Joseph and Justice BV Nagarathna noted that no appointments were made based on the assurance given by the state.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, on the earlier occasion had submitted that because he had to argue before the constitution bench on same-sex marriage, he will compile the reply on the issue of quota over the weekend. 

On April 13, the Karnataka government's decision to scrap four percent Muslim quota ahead of the assembly polls came under the scanner of the Supreme Court, which questioned the government order and said that prima facie it appeared to be on a "highly shaky ground" and "flawed". Taking note of the observations, the Karnataka government had assured the Apex Court that it will put on hold its March 24 order by which it had given expanded quotas in admission to educational institutions and appointment in government jobs to Vokkaligas and Lingayats, till the next date of hearing.

The state's BJP government headed by Basavaraj Bommai decided to scrap the four percent reservation for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions weeks ahead of the state assembly polls on May 10. The state government announced additional reservation for two categories and divided the four percent Muslim quota between the Vokkaligas and Lingayats, the two numerically dominant and politically influential communities. Muslims eligible for quotas were categorized under the economically weaker sections.  

Cause Title: L Ghulam Rasool v. The State Of Karnataka