In March 2019, the Congress government increased the OBC reservation from 14% to 27%, but the BJP put the move on hold, citing the court.

“In March 2019, the Congress government increased the OBC reservation from 14% to 27%, but the BJP put the move on hold, citing the court.”Rahul Gandhi, Chhatron Ki Goonj rally, Indore, 19 September 2026

Rated False

The facts

1. It was the Madhya Pradesh High Court, not the BJP government that first restrained implementation, and it did so while the Congress government was still in power.176
2. The Kamal Nath government issued the ordinance on 8 March 2019, raising OBC reservation from 14% to 27%. This took total SC–ST–OBC reservation to 63%, exceeding the 50% ceiling laid down in Indra Sawhney.177
3. On 19 March 2019 nine days after the ordinance and during Congress rule the High Court directed the state not to provide more than 14% OBC reservation in college admissions while the challenge was pending.
4. Far from shelving the policy, the BJP government issued an order on 2 September 2021 implementing 27% OBC reservation in recruitments not specifically covered by court challenges.178
5. The state subsequently issued corrigenda on 16 November 2021 and 27 January 2022, extending 27% reservation even to ongoing recruitment processes179180

Sources

• 176mphc.gov.in
• 177mphc.gov.in
• 178gad.mp.gov.in
• 179api.sci.gov.in
• 180indianexpress.com

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