Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: January 4, 2006
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1358106.cms
Giving a virtual thumbs down to the heady
mix of vote-bank politics and reservation, the Supreme Court on Wednesday
stalled the controversial Andhra law ensuring 5% quota for Muslims in jobs
and admission to schools and colleges.
As an interim measure, the apex court gave
effect to the high court judgment quashing the reservation law, but protected
those already appointed to government jobs or admitted to educational institutions
on its basis, saying: "They will not be thrown out."
But the importance of the issue, which has
led to an intense debate in Indian polity, was not lost on the Bench comprising
Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justices C K Thakker and R V Raveendran. It
admitted the state government's appeal challenging the HC order and referred
it for adjudication by a five-judge Constitution Bench.
This order, though interim in nature, could
have a cascading effect on other state governments and dampen their attempts
to provide for quota for Muslims in government jobs.
