Legal Battles and Impact

In 2014, the State of Maharashtra introduced ordinances granting 16% reservation to the Maratha community and 5% to Muslims. This was in addition to the existing 50% quota for SC, ST, and OBCs, catapulting total reservation to 71%. Youth for Equality (YFE) challenged both ordinances in the Bombay High Court through a Writ Petition (WP (L) No. 2053 of 2014), filed by its representative Sanjeet Shukla. On November 14, 2014, the High Court stayed the ordinances.

In 2015, Maharashtra government again brought the ESBC Act 2014 that provided 16% reservation to the Maratha community over and above the already prevailing 50% reservation.   YFE challenged the aforesaid act in the Bombay High Court through WP No. 3151 of 2014.  The aforesaid act was stayed by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court vide its order dated 07.04.2015- (2015) SCC Online Bom 5376.

In 2018, the State of Maharashtra brought in SEBC Act, 2018 that provided 16% reservation to the Maratha community over and above the already prevailing 50% reservation.  YFE challenged it through WP(L) No: 4100 of 2018 in Bombay High Court and later through SLP(C) No. 015701/ 2019.  The SEBC act has been has been struck down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 05.05.2021 – (2021) SCC SC Online 362.

In 2019, the State of Madhya Pradesh enacted THE MADHYA PRADESH LOK SEVA (ANUSUCHIT JATIYON, ANUSUCHIT JAN JATIYON AUR ANYA PICHHADE VARGON KE LIYE ARAKSHAN) SANSHODHAN ADHINIYAM, 2019  thereby increased the reservation of OBCs from 14% to 27%, thereby increasing the total reservation to 63%. YFE challenged it and also supported provided legal support to another petitioner who was a young job aspirant.  On 28.01.2020, the Hon’ble Madhya Pradesh High court stayed the enhanced reservation.

In 2019, the State of Chhattisgarh  enacted an amendment to Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Lok Seva (Anusuchit Jatiyon, Anusuchit 7 Jan Jatiyon Aur Anya Pichhade Vargon Ke Liye Arakshan) Adhiniyam, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act, 1994’) thereby increased the reservation of OBCs from 14% to 27%, thereby increasing the total reservation to 71%. YFE provided legal support to the petition filed by young students and job aspirants who challenged the act .  On 04.10.2019, the Hon’ble Chhattisgarh High Court stayed the enhanced reservation

In 2012, the State of Chhattisgarh by  the Chhattisgarh Lok Seva (Anusuchit Jatiyon, Anusuchit Jan Jatiyon Aur Anya Pichere Wargon Ke Liye Aarakshan) Sanshodhan Adhiniyam, 2011 (for short, Amendment Act of 2011), Section 4(2)(i) of the Act of 1994 increased the reservation of Scheduled Tribes (ST) from 20% to 32% and reduced the reservation of SCs from 16% to 12%  thereby increasing the overall reservation to 58%.  YFE filed Intervention Petition and provided legal support to the petition filed by the young job aspirant who challenged the act. On 19.09.2022, the Hon’ble High Court quashed the enhanced reservation.

In 2023, State of Bihar decided to conduct a caste census for the state.  YFE challenged it on the grounds that State government are not competent to conduct the caste survey.  Hon’ble Patna High Court stayed the caste survey through it’s interim order dated 04.05.2023 but in it’s final order dated 01.08.2023 allowed the State Government to go ahead with the Caste Census

In 2023, State of Bihar Reservation (in Enrolment in Educational Institutions) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Bihar Reservation in Vacancies in Posts and Services (For Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) (Amendment) Bill, 2023 thereby increasing the reservation from 50% to 65% for SC, ST and OBCs. YFE challenged the act in Hon’ble Patna High Court. On 20.06.2024, Hon’ble Patna High Court quashed the enhanced the reservation.

In 2024, the State of Maharashtra enacted , SEBC act 2024 to provide 10% reservation for Maratha community thereby increasing the overall reservation to SC,ST,OBCs to 60%.  YFE has challenged this act in Hon’ble Bombay High Court

In 1994, the State of Maharashtra through the Government Decision No. BCC-1094/Pr.Kr 68/94/16-B dated 8^th December, 1994 provided 2% reservation to SBCs over and above the 50% limit.  YFE has  challenged before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court quashing and striking down this decision

In State of Rajasthan enacted the  RAJASTHAN BACKWARD CLASSES (RESERVATION OF SEATS IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF APPOINTMENTS AND POSTS IN SERVICES UNDER THE STATE), ACT, 2017, ENACTED VIDE NOTIFICATION DATED 17.11.2017 AND ITS AMENDMENT NOTIFICATION DATED 13.02.2019. This provided separate 5% reservation for Gujjar community and increased the overall reservation to 54%. YFE has challenged this act.

YFE has challenged before Hon’ble Supreme Court challenging the Hon’ble Patna High Court judgement in C.W.J.C No. 5542 of 2023 allowing the Caste survey

The State of Bihar has challenged the judgement of Hon’ble Patna High Court quashing 65% reservation in the State of Bihar.  But the Hon’ble Supreme Court refused to stay the Hon’ble Patna High Court Order.

Several petitions have been filed to allow 27% reservation for OBCs in Madhya Pradesh which will increase the total reservation to 63%.

The State of Chhattisgarh has filed SLP in Supreme Court challenging the High Court judgement quashing the increase of ST reservation from 20% to 32%.