Indian Court Strikes Down Set-Aside for Muslims

In India the High Court for the state of Andhra Pradesh High Court struck down an Ordinance providing for a 5% reservations for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions. The BBC yesterday reported that the five-member court held that the act violates the constitution, which does not allow reservations on the basis of religion. The court criticized the reasoning of the Andhra Pradesh Backward Class Commission that had recommended the set-aside, saying the commission had not gathered sufficient data or evolved a proper mechanism for subjecting Muslims to a test of social backwardness. An appeal to the Supreme Court of India is expected.