The Supreme Court on Tuesday severely criticised the Centre for being extremely critical of the recent seven-judge bench judgement declaring that there should be no reservation or state quota in private unaided professional colleges.
Arjun Singh calls all party meet to discuss quota issue
Reacting sharply to Supreme Court's ourburst on the issue of reservation in private professional colleges, Lok Sabha members on Wednesday termed its remarks as "very unfortunate" and "uncalled for," with the speaker asserting that Parliament would not give up its rights to make laws.
With a major United Progressive Alliance constituent Rashtriya Janata Dal and outside supporters Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party pitching for quota for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Communities women, consensus continued to elude the Women's Reservation Bill on Monday, which is unlikely to see the light of the day during the current session of Parliament.
On Monday, the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led RJD had made it clear that it would not support the government's proposal to reserve 33% seats for women. On Tuesday, Prasad said if the bill in its original form was introduced, then a separate quota should be earmarked for Muslims and women from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
Also Read:
Women's Bill: What's the fuss about
Women's Bill: Uttam's Take
Prime Ministrer Manmohan Singh greets former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during an all-party meeting in New Delhi. Dr Singh presided over an all-party meeting held to discuss the controversial Women's Reservation Bill.
Photograph: RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images