Clash over reservation in Bihar Assembly as Opposition demands 85% quota

The Opposition opened a front against the state government in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Monday accusing the Nitish Kumar government of being “anti-reservation”. Holding posters and banners, Opposition legislators reiterated their demand to implement 85% reservation.

MLAs from the RJD and other Opposition parties demanded that as per the caste-based survey conducted in the state by the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government in 2023, the scope of reservation should be expanded in proportion to the population. The legislators alleged that the NDA government is depriving backward communities of their rights by adopting a double standard on the issue of reservation.

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They staged a sit-in at the main door of the Assembly. As soon as the proceedings began, they rushed into the Well of the House, carrying posters with slogans reading “Implement 85% Reservation.”

They said until the government increases the reservation limit to 85% and takes concrete steps to include it in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, their protest will continue. They termed it an injustice against the majority population of Bihar.

After the caste census in 2023, the Bihar government had approved 65% reservation for the SCs, STc and OBCs, apart from the 10% EWS reservation provided to Economically Weaker Sections not covered under SC, ST, and OBC categories in Central government jobs and educational institutions.

In November 2023, the Bihar government issued a gazette notification announcing an increase in reservation from 50% to 65%. Subsequently, the Bihar Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Bihar Reservation Amendment Bill to implement 65% reservation.

However, after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against this decision, the Patna High Court struck down the Bihar government’s decision to increase reservation from 50% to 65%. The High Court stated that 65% reservation violates the 50% cap set by the Supreme Court.

Additionally, the court noted that after adding 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the total reservation would reach 75%, which is not in accordance with the Constitution.