In a setback to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday cancelled at least 5 lakh Other Backward Classes certificates issued under a 2012 Act, reports The Indian Express.
Chief Minister Banerjee said that she would not accept the court’s verdict and that the reservation would continue as is.
A division bench of Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha struck down the OBC certificates issued under the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act after finding them to be illegal.
The court however clarified that the order would not affect those who are already in service, have succeeded in any selection process of the state government, or have availed of reservation using the certificates.
Meanwhile, speaking at an election rally, Banerjee said, “They got an order passed today but I don’t accept it. When 26,000 people lost their jobs because of the BJP, I had said that I would not accept it. Similarly, I am saying today, I do not accept the order. We won’t accept the BJP’s order. OBC reservation will continue. Imagine their audacity. This is a black chapter in our country.”