EWS Quota Case-Supreme Court Hearing-Day 7 - Live Updates

SG: Poorest of poor should be shifted. Because it would result in double reservations and will amend the constitution beyond what was envisioned.

SG: We will place but maybe this is a policy issue not Constitutional. Even this affidavit, absent this affidavit, it wouldn't mean that Constitutional amendment fails. This is only for clearing doubts.

Justice Bhat: I would like you to give the data about the number of scholarships available to all people. What is the kind of scholarships you give for medical, engineering and other professional courses. The poorest of the poor in all categories, ultimately when they get in...what is the fee they pay?

SG: Those figures will be for parliament, won't have any impact on constitutionality.

SG Mehta: I wish to take 5 mins. The government as a sovereign is responding to the wishes and aspirations of several. This is what we've tried.

[Refers to his written submissions, para 3]

Biju refers to tabular data on effects of 103rd amendment on different categories. 

Biju: Ultimately, my submission is that Sindhu Commission, adequate representation, are poor people. And so they must get reservations.

Biju: This is what people in Kerala did- they reached the CM and said that we don't want reservations on caste, we want on economic criteria. This is the beauty of the Act. We're reaching that.

Biju: I also want to send my children to school, to have food, to dress.

CJI: Mr. Biju, confine yourself to the point.

Biju: The result of this law is that we will reach an area which is a casteless society.

Biju: CJI asked whether there was perpetual poverty. That perpetual poverty is there. That's why State of Kerala made a commission.

[Reads from Kerala Commission Report]

This is not first time, other states are also there. 

Biju: The government appointed a commission in 2001/2002 and that was submitted in 2010. That commission after consulting everyone said that these people also need reservation.

Biju: We are coming by a democratically elected process. So who is committing fraud on the constitution?

Biju refers to Articles 31C and Article 39 of the Indian Constitution.