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Mixed reactions to SC ruling on Ninth Schedule
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January 11, 2007 21:18 IST

The Supreme Court's ruling on the Ninth Schedule on Thursday evoked mixed reactions from political parties. While the government said there was no confrontation, and the Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed it, some others like Communist Party of India and Pattali Makkal Katchi expressed concern over it.

Law Minister H R Bhardwaj said the judgement was a continuation of Wednesday's verdict on the power of judicial review and would have no adverse impact on the executive.

Main opposition BJP welcomed the ruling saying it would prevent the legislature from placing laws violative of the Constitution beyond judicial scrutiny.

"This is a welcome judgement. It will act as a restraint on placing laws that are vulnerable and unconstitutional under the Ninth Schedule," BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

But, Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav favoured a debate on the matter both inside and outside Parliament.

Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said the judgement holds that ultimately the basic structure doctrine is supreme.

CPI general secretary A B Bardhan said the ruling required to be debated thoroughly by judicial and constitutional experts.

D Raja, national secretary of CPI, which supports the United Progressive Alliance from outside, said the judgement would have far reaching consequences because the Ninth Schedule is part of the Constitution and Parliament can amend the Constitution.

UPA constituent PMK expressed shock over the judgement, saying it would only lead to confusion as over 20 laws would be open for review.

PMK founder S Ramadoss demanded that the centre and the state Governments take 'immediate steps to avoid the danger of review of such Acts' and suggested an all-party meeting on it.

He said the Tamil Nadu Act, providing for 69 percent quota for certain sections has been included in the Ninth Schedule and a situation had been created now by which even this Act would come up for review.

On this, champion of Dalit cause and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ramvilas Paswan said he was yet to study the ruling but expressed the view that there should not be any cut in reservation as people's sentiments were attached to it.




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