The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear petitions on November 21 that challenge the constitutional validity of extending reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament) and State Assemblies beyond the original 10-year period. The validity of the 79th Constitutional Amendment of 1999, which extended the period of reservation, is being questioned.
The Constitution Bench will deliberate on whether the extension of reservation for SC, ST, and Anglo-Indians violates the right to equality. The issue at hand is whether the reservation, which was initially intended as a temporary measure to uplift marginalized communities, can be prolonged indefinitely. The petitioners argue that the extension goes against the principle of equality and perpetuates discrimination.
