JUDGMENT

S.B. Sinha, J.—Identical questions of fact and law being involved in these appeals and the writ petition, they were taken up for hearing together and are being disposed of by this common judgment. Hindu Nadars, represented by the Hindu Nadar Corporation, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, are admittedly educationally and socially backward. The question as regards the extent of reservation between Hindu Nadars and those who were converted into Christianity (Christian Nadars – SIUC Nadars) had been the subject matter of dispute for a long time. They have all along been treated as belonging to separate and distinct class. According to the Hindu Nadars they have all along been more socially and educationally backward than the SIUC Nadars. Both the said categories of Nadars, however, admittedly come within the purview of Other Backward Classes. 40% reservation was allowed to the Other Backward Classes by a Notification dated 17.12.1958, by the State of Kerala, the division whereof is as under :

14 to Ezhavas & thiyyas

10 to Muslims

5 to Latin Catholics, SIUC & Anglo Indians

1 to Backward Christians (Other Christians)

10 to Other Backward Classes (“remain