The case of State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan is a landmark judgement by the Supreme Court of India, delivered in 1951. This case played a crucial role in shaping the approach towards reservation policies in India and had a significant impact on the Indian Constitution.
Background of the Case:
- The case originated from an order issued by the Government of Madras in 1927, which implemented a caste-based quota system in government jobs and educational institutions.
- Champakam Dorairajan, a Brahmin woman, was denied admission to a medical college in Madras due to this order, which reserved seats for candidates from various communities, including non-Brahmins, Harijans, and Anglo-Indians, among others.
Legal Issues:
- The key legal issue revolved around the validity of the communal G.O. and whether it violated the right to equality enshrined in the Constitution of India.
- The case primarily concerned the interpretation of Article 29(2) and Article 15(1) of the Indian Constitution. Article 29(2) prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, or language in admission to educational institutions, while Article 15(1) prohibits discrimination on similar grounds.
Supreme Court Judgment:
- The Supreme Court, in its judgment, held that the communal G.O. was unconstitutional as it violated Article 29(2) of the Constitution.
- The Court emphasized the importance of ensuring equality and non-discrimination in matters of public employment and education.
- As a result of this judgment, the Indian Parliament passed the First Amendment to the Constitution in 1951. This amendment introduced Article 15(4), allowing the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
Significance of the Judgment:
- The case is significant for establishing the principle that while the state can make provisions for the advancement of backward classes, such provisions should not violate the fundamental rights of equality and non-discrimination guaranteed by the Constitution.
- This judgement paved the way for the constitutional validation of reservation policies in India, balancing the need for social justice with the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
The State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan case remains a cornerstone in the jurisprudence relating to reservation policies and the interpretation of equality under the Indian Constitution.
For a more detailed analysis and understanding of the case, you can refer to this [source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Madras_v._Champakam_Dorairajan).
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