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Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged unity, warning against dividing society on caste lines, reinforcing the Supreme Court’s commitment to social harmony
CJI Surya Kant’s remarks came while hearing the contentious case related to quota for OBCs in civic and rural bodies of Maharashtra. (Image: @rashtrapatibhvn/X/PTI)
In a significant judicial statement a day after he took oath, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday cautioned against division on caste lines while hearing the matter on the Maharashtra local body elections.
“Whatever we do, we should not divide the society on caste lines,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said, underscoring the Supreme Court’s commitment to social harmony, as per a report by Live Law.
His remarks came while hearing the contentious case related to quota for other backward classes (OBC) in civic and rural bodies of Maharashtra.
The matter pertains to reservation crossing the 50 per cent ceiling if OBCs are given a 27 percent quota in several local governing bodies. This 50 percent ceiling, upheld in several verdicts, restricts governments from breaching the mark unless exceptional circumstances are shown.
However, CJI Surya Kant opined that OBCs cannot be completely excluded. “How can there be democracy by excluding OBCs?” he was quoted.
Later, he made the observation that people should not be segregated on caste lines. He addressed the implications of caste-based divisions on electoral processes and governance.
Live Law reported that senior advocate Indira Jaising argued that since many areas of Maharashtra have a substantial tribal population, the SC/ST reservation alone will constitute 50 percent in those regions and, hence, there will be no space for OBC quota.
If the government reduces the OBC quota to stay within the 50 percent cap, it risks a strong political backlash from OBC communities, which are an important electoral force in rural Maharashtra. These elections are often heavily influenced by regional and caste dynamics, potentially leading to segregated political representation and governance structures.
This is not the first time CJI Kant has spoken against caste divide. In February, while hearing pleas seeking reservation in the advocates’ association, he conveyed that he would not permit bar members to be divided on caste or religious lines.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
November 25, 2025, 5:29 pm IST
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