The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on Maratha reservation by four weeks.
A hearing on this matter was held last month in which the apex court had put a stay on the implementation of 2018 Maharashtra law granting reservation to Marathas in education and jobs. However the Supreme Court had made it clear that the status of those who have availed of the benefits will not be disturbed.
This decision had caused a stir and some harsh comments were parts in the political circuit across the state. After the decision was made, the citizens were awaiting to understand about the hearing while allegations were being levelled against the government. However, they expressed the displeasure when the hearing was being held before the bench which adjourned the Maratha reservation.
The hearing on Tuesday was the first hearing on the reconsideration petition and it started at 11 am, however, the court adjourned the hearing for some time due to the absence of public prosecutor Mukul Rohatgi. It later resumed after Rohatgi appeared.
The government had demanded that the Maratha reservation case should be heard before a five-judge bench instead of a three-judge bench. Justice Nageshwar Rao agreed with senior advocate Kapil Sibal and adjourned the hearing on Maratha reservation for four weeks.
As a result, the government has got time to go to the bench of 5 justices and make a listing for it. However, due to a long gap in the hearing, there are allegations that the government is not serious about Maratha reservation.
The Legislature had unanimously passed a bill to implement 16 per cent reservation in education and government service for the socially and educationally backward class (Maratha community) in Maharashtra. Accordingly, the Maratha Reservation Bill came into force in the state from December 1, 2018. However, the law has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the state government is working hard to ensure that the law is upheld.
Share
Tweet
