DU colleges run by Sikh body challenge quota policy

A group of minority colleges under Delhi University have approached the High Court, seeking exemption from giving reservation to students from OBC.

A group of minority colleges under Delhi University (DU) have approached the High Court, seeking exemption from giving reservation to students from Other Backward Classes (OBC).

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The colleges, run by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), a body constituted under the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act, contended the reservation policy was not applicable to their institutions in view of a recent Supreme Court judgement. The apex court has held that the Minority Educational Institutions (MEI), whether they are aided and unaided, are exempted from OBC reservation, the colleges said in their petition.

Issuing a notice to the Centre, Delhi University and the University Grant Commission (UGC), Justice Rajiv Shakdher sought their response by September 25 on the petition filed by the colleges — Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa, Guru Govind Singh, Mata Sundri for Women and Guru Nanak Dev PG DAV.

Appearing for the colleges, senior lawyer KTS Tulsi submitted the reservation policy was not only contrary to the Constitution of India but also against the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admissions) Act 2006.

Claiming the minority status enjoyed by the colleges was given by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institution, the counsel said, “The UGC and DU cannot direct the MEIs established by DSGMC to implement the reservation policy in the matters of filing up of teaching posts and admissions."