Striking down 27% quota, Madhya Pradesh High Court cites OBC chief ministers, quotes Rousseau

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has struck down a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local body elections, calling it unconstitutional. The court cited the example of OBC chief ministers who have been elected without such reservations to argue that the quota was not necessary.

The court also quoted Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 'The Social Contract' to argue that the quota was against the principles of democracy and equality. The decision is likely to have implications for similar reservations in other states.