Unveiling the Unseen: MP's Bold Move to Elevate OBCs Amidst Persistent Discrimination

In a landmark legal battle unfolding before the Supreme Court, the Madhya Pradesh government is fervently defending its decision to increase the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to a significant 27%. This bold move, which challenges a previous stay by the High Court and subsequent Supreme Court directives, is being robustly justified with a trove of empirical data that paints a stark picture of persistent social and economic disparities faced by OBC communities across the state.

The core of the government's argument rests upon the findings of the Justice G.

S. Commission, established in 2019 specifically to gather comprehensive data on the backwardness of OBCs. This extensive report forms the bedrock of their appeal, asserting that the statistics reveal 'extraordinary circumstances' that necessitate exceeding the traditional 50% ceiling on reservations, as set by the seminal Indra Sawhney judgment.

The government contends that without this enhanced quota, the deeply entrenched inequalities cannot be effectively addressed.

The commission's report unveils a chilling reality of ongoing social discrimination. Disturbingly, it highlights that even in contemporary times, OBC individuals often feel compelled to stand and bow their heads in deference when upper-caste people pass by.

The findings further detail that OBCs are frequently barred from sharing meals or even sitting alongside upper-caste members. The report also cites instances of exclusion from common community resources, such as wells and temples, and culturally significant prohibitions, including not being allowed to ride a horse during their own wedding processions, with women still expected to remove their shoes during such ceremonies.

These vivid examples underscore the profound social barriers that continue to marginalize a significant portion of Madhya Pradesh's population.

Economically, the data reveals a similar pattern of disadvantage. Despite comprising an estimated 51% of the state's total population, OBCs possess a disproportionately small share of land.

The report indicates that while upper castes hold 40.5% of the land, OBCs own merely 25.4%, a stark contrast to Scheduled Castes (13.9%) and Scheduled Tribes (20.2%). This uneven distribution of a primary economic resource perpetuates a cycle of financial vulnerability and limited opportunities.

The representation of OBCs in government services further corroborates the narrative of systemic underrepresentation.

Prior to the proposed increase, OBCs, with their 14% quota, struggled to secure adequate positions across various service groups. The commission's data on government jobs (pre-2019) shows their representation to be consistently below their population share and even their existing quota in many critical categories.

For instance, in Group A services, OBC representation stood at a mere 12.3%, against an original quota of 14%. While slightly better in Group B, C, and D, the overall picture remained one of significant disparity, underscoring the urgent need for corrective measures to ensure equitable access to public employment.

By presenting this comprehensive and unflinching empirical evidence, the Madhya Pradesh government is not only seeking to overturn the stay on its 27% OBC quota but also to set a precedent for addressing historical and ongoing injustices through affirmative action.

This legal battle in the Supreme Court is poised to have far-reaching implications, potentially redefining the scope and justification for reservation policies in India based on contemporary socio-economic realities.