KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has stayed the government's move to include the Christian Nadar community in the SEBC. The court ruled that the state government did not have the authority to add new communities to the SEBC list. The court also stated that only the president has the power to change the SEBC list.

On February 6, 2021, the state government decided to include Nadar Christians in the SEBC list and give them reservation. The decision was made before the election. S Kuttappan Chettiar, the leader of a backward community organization, approached the High Court against this.

There are currently 73 communities on the SEBC list. With the inclusion of one community, the reservation rate will decrease. The petitioner alleged that the state government was exercising the power of the Centre. The cabinet had decided to give SEBC reservation to all Nadar communities except SIUC belonging to the Christian community based on the recommendation of the State Commission for Backward Classes.