Plea Before Delhi HC by Anglo-Indian Federation, Seeking Reservation in Parliament and State Assemblies

BENCH: Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla

The Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations moved before the Delhi High Court seeking restoration of reservation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Parliament and State Assemblies. The plea challenged the 104th amendment to the Constitution that extended the reservation of seats for SC and ST communities in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for the later period of ten years. However, it discontinued the same for the Anglo-Indian community.

The bench directed the Central government to file parliamentary committee debates on the issue within six weeks to understand the thoughts of the framers of the Constitution during the Debates on the issue. 

The petition argued that the removal of the Anglo-Indian community was arbitrarily in violation of the principles of equality. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, submitted that according to the recent census data, there are only 296 Anglo-Indians left in the country. To which advocate Kuriakose Varghese, appearing for the petitioner, replied that the Anglo-Indian community was being singled out because of their low numbers.

The bench, however, asked the petitioner how the community planned to integrate into society if these provisions continue. There is no bar on the Anglo-Indian community intertwining with the society and then emerging as a leader.