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Politics
Supreme Court Declines Petition to Mandate Rotation of SC/ST Reserved Seats
✍️ Hindustan Times
🗓 04 Nov 2026, 03:52 PM
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The apex court ruled that the decision on rotating SC/ST reserved constituencies lies with Parliament, dismissing a petition that sought mandatory rotation.
The Supreme Court has turned down a petition that sought to make rotation of constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes mandatory. The bench held that such a policy decision is the prerogative of the Parliament, not the judiciary.
The petitioner argued that regular rotation would ensure broader representation, but the court responded that he was "dialling the wrong number," indicating that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction.
By emphasizing the constitutional separation of powers, the court clarified that any amendment to the reservation rotation mechanism must be enacted through legislation. This ruling leaves the existing framework unchanged until Parliament decides otherwise.
Legal experts note that the decision underscores the court's restraint in intervening in policy matters that are expressly assigned to the legislature, while also highlighting the ongoing debate over electoral reforms for marginalized communities.
The petitioner argued that regular rotation would ensure broader representation, but the court responded that he was "dialling the wrong number," indicating that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction.
By emphasizing the constitutional separation of powers, the court clarified that any amendment to the reservation rotation mechanism must be enacted through legislation. This ruling leaves the existing framework unchanged until Parliament decides otherwise.
Legal experts note that the decision underscores the court's restraint in intervening in policy matters that are expressly assigned to the legislature, while also highlighting the ongoing debate over electoral reforms for marginalized communities.