85%(people) in Maharashtra belong to backward classes,” Sibal told the bench which also consisted of justices Hemant Gupta and S Ravindra Bhat. The court was hearing a plea challenging a 2018 Maharashtra law granting reservation benefits to Maratha community in educational institutions and government jobs. He said any judgment of the Supreme Court in this regard will affect those states. This law was challenged before the Bombay High Court which, in June 2019, upheld the validity of the law but reduced the quota to 12 per cent in admissions to educational institutions and 13 per cent in jobs. The petitions have challenged the law on the ground that it breaches the 50% threshold.

Source: Hindustan Times August 27, 2020 00:29 UTC