Kolkata, June 10 (Reporter) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday told the state Assembly that backwardness alone determines inclusion in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, dismissing allegations of a religious bias in the process. She criticised a social media campaign spreading "misinformation", asserting that religion has no role in OBC classification. Banerjee informed the House that a government-appointed commission is currently surveying 50 new subsections for potential inclusion. So far, 49 groups have been added under OBC-A and 91 under OBC-B. She explained that the OBC-A category comprises more disadvantaged communities, while relatively better-off groups fall under OBC-B. The chief minister’s remarks followed the tabling of the annual report of the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes for 2024–25. She emphasised that all additions were based on thorough field studies and the commission’s recommendations. Addressing the recent controversy, Banerjee said, a Calcutta High Court directive led to the removal of several communities from the OBC list, creating uncertainty for job seekers in the state. She stated that her government has appealed the verdict in the Supreme Court, where the matter remains sub judice. "The Calcutta High Court gave a directive regarding OBCs. Several OBCs were removed from the list. Job seekers in Bengal found themselves in trouble. We have appealed to the Supreme Court against the verdict of the Calcutta High Court. That case is currently under judicial consideration," she said. In response to the court ruling, the state cabinet on June 2 approved a revised OBC list. The Department of Backward Class Welfare presented an updated draft reducing the earlier list of 66 communities to 64 and adding 76 new ones to resolve legal challenges. Meanwhile, BJP legislators, led by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, walked out of the Assembly, accusing the chief minister of making misleading claims. They protested outside the Assembly gate, asserting that Banerjee’s statements were inaccurate and that the Speaker denied Adhikari the opportunity to respond — prompting their demonstration. “Without any agenda and prior intimation to the House, the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee went to the House and gave a wrongful statement regarding the OBC reservation. This she did because the assembly polls are knocking the door and she is doing appeasement politics. She made a statement in favour of her votebank,” leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari said. “We raised our voices strongly infront of the Speaker and the chief minister but he refused to listen and adjourned the House within minutes. This is unethical, violation of judiciary and humiliation of the opposition,” Adhikari added...////...