He says that every survey — ranging from Census to National Family Health survey to NSSO survey — puts the percentage of OBCs more than 27 per cent. “So the 27 per cent reservation is a very safe figure, that cannot be questioned,” said Krishnan who has been instrumental in preparation of all the counter-affidavits filed by the Centre.

He also said that it is incorrect to say that 1931 Census was the sole basis for projecting an OBC population of 52 per cent whereas the Mandal commission followed a four-pronged strategy: it considered the state lists, collated evidence presented before it, toured the country and made random surveys, before coming to a conclusion of the 52 per cent OBC population.