Prof Mohan Gopal pointed out that during a discussion in the Constituent Assembly on the subject, Dr Ambedkar said that “it’s a matter of policy for the government to define ‘what is a backward class’”.He said that “in 1992 landmark verdict, Indra Sawhney clearly spelt out that a class is any group of people that fulfills about 20 criteria that cuts across four broad areas—social, educational, economic, and political, namely representation.”Article 16(4) of the Constitution provides for reservation for a “backward class of citizens, which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State”.Another Southern state, Kerala, has a long history of providing reservations to Muslim communities. Initially introduced in 1936, the state currently provides 8% reservation in educational institutions and 10% in government jobs within the 30% OBC quota.Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, a 3.5% sub-quota is provided to Muslims within its 30% OBC quota framework.Andhra Pradesh has faced legal challenges on Muslim reservations. In 2004, the state introduced a 5% reservation for Muslims based on a report highlighting their social and educational backwardness. However, the High Court struck down this quota, citing procedural issues and the need for proper identification of backward groups within the Muslim community.Subsequent attempts to implement a 4% reservation for specific Muslim castes also faced legal hurdles. Ruling Telugu Desam chief and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu vowed to protect that quota.
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