HC: Non-Hindu Telis Too Eligible for OBC Benefits

The circular includes all individuals traditionally identified as 'Teli', regardless of their religion RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT

- Dinesh Bothra

JODHPUR: Individuals belonging to the Teli caste, irrespective of their religious affiliation, are entitled to reservation benefits under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, the Rajasthan high court has ruled in a significant judgment, observing that the caste in question is rooted in traditional hereditary occupation spanning multiple religions.

A single-judge bench of justice Anoop Kumar Dhand on Wednesday quashed a January 2009 order of a government official, terminating contractual employment of one Sattar Khan, who identified as a Muslim Teli, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. The court also issued a general mandamus to all Rajasthan government departments, directing them not to deny the benefits of OBC reservation to non-Hindu candidates belonging to the Teli caste.