50% Reservation for SC, ST and OBC Judges in High Courts and Supreme Court

The PIL Watch Group supports the just struggle of Madras High Court Advocates Association in demanding a change in the selection of judges in the Madras High Court. Media reports indicate that a majority of the judges selected are from the upper caste.

About 67 years after the Independence the High Courts are manned by judges from the privileged castes. It is ironic that a judge from the Madras High Court is forced to intervene in a public interest litigation demanding justice. The time is ripe for declaring reservation for judges in the High Courts and the Supreme Court so as to have 50% jobs for SC, ST and OBCs all over the country. It will also ensure that justice is done to these communities. It shall be ensured that the vacancies are filled up on an emergent basis. Isn’t it time also to revisit the ‘Balaji’ judgement delivered about five decades back which limits reservation to just 50%?