Bengal slashes 65 Muslim sub-groups from TMC-era list, clears twin OBC quota bills

West Bengal's assembly has passed two bills to revise the OBC reservation framework, now recognizing 66 communities (54 Hindu, 12 Muslim) outside SC/ST categories. This move reverses changes made by the previous TMC government, which had faced legal challenges. The new legislation restores greater power to the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes, making its recommendations binding on the government for determining reservation percentages and community classifications.

By KRISHNENDU BANDYOPADHYAY AND KAUSHIK PRADHAN