Stalin writes to PM on SC verdict on OBC quota

Stalin writes to PM on SC verdict on OBC quota

Leaders express displeasure over order

27/10/2020

Special Correspondent CHENNAI

DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to ensure that the terms of implementation of State-specific quota for OBC students in All-India Quota (AIQ) seats for medical college admissions were finalised by the committee constituted for the purpose.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, he said there was a real concern that students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) would not benefit from the State-specific reservation in the current academic year.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to order interim relief of implementing 50% reservation, this year itself, for NEET-UG students belonging to OBCs in medical and dental seats contributed to the AIQ by State government-run colleges in Tamil Nadu.

“Without the implementation of reservation, thousands of students will not have a chance to pursue higher education in the field of medicine,” he said.

‘Disappointing verdict’

PMK Founder S. Ramadoss said in a statement: “The verdict is disappointing. The stance taken by the Centre that it cannot be implemented this year due to the various cases pending on the issue is the reason for the outcome.”

He also urged Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to send a delegation comprising political party leaders from the State to New Delhi, to meet the Prime Minister.

MDMK chief Vaiko alleged that the Centre had shown deceit on the issue, from the beginning, and strongly condemned it and expressed disappointment over the verdict.

VCK founder Thol. Thirumavalavan urged the Chief Minister to immediately call for an all-party meeting to express consensus on the issue and pursue legal options.

MMK president M.H. Jawahirullah also urged the Chief Minister to call for an all-party meeting and take action to uphold the principles of social justice. CPI (M) State secretary K. Balakrishnan pointed out that the verdict would affect OBC students and said the BJP government at the Centre had betrayed them and acted against social justice.