Observing that economic backwardness, unlike caste-based backwardness, “can be temporary”, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court Thursday asked if problems of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) can be addressed through affirmative measures like providing scholarships and fee concessions instead of reservation. Mehta said that social backwardness too is not defined in the Constitution. AdvertisementMehta said a Constitution amendment cannot be struck down unless it violates the basic structure and that “the amendment does not destroy the basic structure but strengthens the Preamble by giving justice – economic justice which is a fundamental part of the Preamble”. Therefore, while pre-existing reservations exist within the inadequacy – social backwardness paradigm, the same cannot restrict the future generations from adopting other similar measures for other reasons and classes”. The aim of the republic is that of betterment in all walks of life, social, economic and political of all castes and classes”.

Source: Indian Express September 23, 2022 07:59 UTC