Calcutta High Court Invalidates Over Five Lakh Post-2010 OBC Certificates in West Bengal
Desk Report, May 23, 2024: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday invalidated all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010. A division bench of the court deemed over five lakh certificates issued post-2010 by the Bengal government as “invalid.”
The ruling will not impact individuals currently holding jobs or educational seats, nor those who filed applications with these certificates. However, the court mandated the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission to draft a new OBC list as per the 1993 Act. Pre-2010 OBC nominations will remain unaffected, while all post-2010 nominations stand cancelled.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee swiftly opposed the judgment, stating she would not accept it. She criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of pushing a divisive agenda by suggesting that Muslims would usurp SC, ST, and OBC reservations. Banerjee asserted, “OBC reservations will continue. We will appeal to a higher court.”
The court’s directive will result in the cancellation of approximately five lakh OBC certificates issued after 2010.
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