The Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to approach Supreme Court challenging AP High Court’s directive on 4 per cent reservation for Muslims. The government will engage prominent lawyer and constitutional expert K Parasaran to file a petition in the apex court. It seeks apex court permission to implement the 4 per cent quota for Muslims in educational institutions, challenging the High court’s order staying the implementation of the quota.
The High Court stayed implementation of the quota saying that it would take up hearing on the case after the summer vacation. This will affect the prospects of dozens of doctors from the Muslim community who want to pursue super-speciality courses. . About 15,000 Muslim students stand to be benefited from the quota in all professional courses. Though admissions in professional degree courses have been completed, the academic year for postgraduate medical courses is only about to start. Another factor which prompted the government to make a move was the crucial by-elections to 17 Assembly and four Lok Sabha seats in Telangana, where there are lots of Muslim voters.