MP Govt Refutes Viral Claims on OBC Quota Affidavit, Calls Content “False & Misleading” | LawBeat Breaking
Viral excerpts appear to be from 1983 Mahajan Commission report, not state’s affidavit before Supreme Court, clarifies Madhya Pradesh government
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The Madhya Pradesh government has strongly refuted claims being circulated on social media that controversial comments on caste and the Varna system formed part of its affidavit before the Supreme Court in the ongoing case related to OBC reservation.
In its statement, the state government said that certain “mischievous elements” are spreading fabricated and misleading content, falsely attributing it to the affidavit filed in the apex court.
“A preliminary review of the records reveals that the comments and statements being circulated on social media are completely false, fabricated, misleading, and motivated by malafide intent,” the government clarified.
The viral content, which includes disparaging remarks about Shudras and the caste system, was claimed to have been part of the government’s submission. The state, however, categorically stated that it was neither part of the affidavit nor any declared or approved policy or decision of the government.
According to the clarification, the controversial excerpts appear to be from the final report submitted in 1983 by the Madhya Pradesh State Backward Classes Commission, chaired by Shri Ramji Mahajan. This commission, constituted in 1980, had submitted its recommendations, including a proposal of 35% reservation, to the then state government. The current government, however, noted that it implemented 27% reservation, underscoring that its decision was not based on the Mahajan Commission’s recommendations.
The statement further pointed out that various reports of the State Backward Classes Commission, including the Mahajan Commission report, have been part of official records and were presented before both the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court.
However, it emphasized that lifting isolated portions from such reports and circulating them out of context on social media amounts to malicious propaganda.
The government reiterated its commitment to social harmony under the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, and warned that strict action would be taken against those deliberately spreading misinformation.
“Presenting isolated portions of academic analyses or commission reports on social media without context, and attributing them to the government’s affidavit, is a condemnable act. A serious investigation will be conducted and necessary action will follow,” the statement said.
The Supreme Court is seized with two connected issues which are the validity of the 87:13 recruitment formula and the long-pending implementation of 27% OBC reservation, arising from the broader reservation dispute and the Shivam Gautam vs State of Madhya Pradesh case.