Has the Calcutta HC Extended the Stay on the New OBC List in Bengal?
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Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court has extended its interim stay on the West Bengal government's final notification for a new OBC list until August 31. This critical decision follows various political accusations and highlights the ongoing debates surrounding OBC classifications in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Calcutta High Court extends stay until August 31
- New OBC list to include 140 communities
- Accusations of bias against certain communities
- Next hearing set for August 5
- State government challenging the stay in Supreme Court
Kolkata, July 24 (NationPress) The Calcutta High Court has prolonged, until August 31, its interim stay against the West Bengal government from issuing the final notification for a new Other Backward Class (OBC) list.
This issue is scheduled for further hearing on August 5.
On June 17, a division bench comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Rajasekhar Mantha instituted the interim stay against the issuance of the final notification for the updated OBC list. The interim stay lapsed on Thursday, prompting the matter to be addressed again.
Following the hearing, the division bench decided to extend the interim stay until August 31.
The updated OBC list was expected to feature 140 communities, and the interim stay was seen as a significant setback for the state government.
This new survey was initiated by the state government in response to a commitment made to the Supreme Court on March 18, during the proceedings regarding the state government's challenge against a Calcutta High Court order from May 2024, which annulled all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal since 2010.
The petitioner claimed the state government was only considering applications from 113 OBC communities that the Calcutta High Court had invalidated. The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, accused the state government of predominantly featuring individuals from the Muslim community in the new list eligible for obtaining OBC certificates.
Coincidentally, on Thursday, the West Bengal government submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court, contesting the high court's interim stay on the final notification for the updated OBC list. This matter is set to be heard by the apex court on July 28.
Point of View
The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the OBC list in West Bengal reflect the complexities of caste-based classifications in India. It is crucial for the government to ensure that the process is transparent and inclusive to maintain trust among the communities involved. The judiciary's role in this scenario is vital to uphold fairness and justice.
NationPress
10/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Calcutta HC's interim stay?
The interim stay prevents the West Bengal government from finalizing the new OBC list, which is crucial for ensuring equitable representation of various communities.
When is the next hearing scheduled?
The next hearing regarding the OBC list is set for August 5.
How many communities are included in the new OBC list?
The new OBC list is expected to include 140 communities.
What was the basis for the petition against the state government?
The petition accused the state government of limiting applications to only 113 OBC communities that were scrapped by the Calcutta High Court.
What was the outcome of the recent developments?
The Calcutta High Court extended the interim stay until August 31, impacting the state's ability to release the final OBC list.
