The Union Cabinet has recently approved the decision to remove reservations for the Anglo-Indian community in legislative bodies. This decision has been made despite the fact that two seats were previously nominated for them in the Lok Sabha, and one seat in the State Legislative Assemblies. This was done to ensure that the Anglo-Indian community, being a religious, social, and linguistic minority, had adequate representation in elected legislative bodies.
Given the fact that they constitute a numerically very small community dispersed across India, these special provisions were made for Anglo-Indians. These reservations had been extended until 2020 following the 95th Amendment in 2009, despite the original provision planned to operate only until 1960.
Constitutional Provisions Regarding Anglo-Indians
Several articles within the Indian Constitution define and provide for the Anglo-Indian community. Article 366 specifically defines an Anglo-Indian as a person whose father or any male progenitor in their paternal line has European descent. However, such an individual must also be domiciled within the territory of India and born to parents who were habitually resident there, and not merely present for temporary purposes.
According to Article 331, the President has the authority to nominate two members of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha, if he feels that the community is not adequately represented. Similarly, Article 333 states that the Governor of a State can nominate a member of the Anglo-Indian community to the Legislative Assembly of the state, if he deems that the community needs and lacks representation.
The reservation for the Anglo-Indian community was first established for a period of 40 years in 1949 under Article 334(b) through its insertion into the constitution.
National Commission for SCs (Article 338)
One of the crucial roles of the National Commission for SCs, as defined by Article 338, is to investigate all matters relating to constitutional and other legal safeguards for the Anglo-Indian community. Based on its findings, this body reports to the President.
Key Facts About Anglo-Indian Reservation
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Year When Reservation Was Established | 1949 |
| Total Reserved Seats in Lok Sabha | 2 |
| Total Reserved Seats in State Assemblies | 1 |
| Year When Reservation Was Extended To | 2020 |
| Year of the 95th Amendment | 2009 |
Recent Removal of Reservations
The recent Union Cabinet decision to remove reservations for Anglo-Indians in legislative bodies marks a significant shift from previous norms. This potentially undermines the representation of this small, dispersed community and it remains to be seen how this change will affect them going forward.
