Fifty eight members of the Rajya Sabha on Friday moved a notice to impeach a Gujarat High Court judge, JD Pardiwala, for saying reservations have destroyed the country. Pardiwala was hearing a petition in the Hardik Patel (pictured above) case, in which members of the affluent Patel community had demanded a quota for themselves.

While reading his judgment, Pardiwala said: “If I'm asked by anyone to name two things, which has destroyed this country or rather, has not allowed the country, to progress in the right direction, then the same is, (i) Reservation and (ii) Corruption. It is very shameful for any citizen of this country to ask for reservation after 65 years of independence. When our Constitution was framed, it was understood that the reservation would remain for a period of 10 years, but unfortunately, it has continued even after 65 years of independence.”

Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, Communist Party of India leader D Raja, and Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi were among those who moved the notice. The matter will now be considered by the House, The Hindu reported.