New Delhi, July 8 -- Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court agreed to examine whether children of single mothers belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are entitled to community certificates that would enable them to access reservation benefits. The matter, which has important ramifications for gender justice and equitable access to affirmative action, has the support of the Union government, albeit with caveats. The Centre, in its June 9 response to a petition filed before the apex court, said it was not opposed to extending OBC certificates to children of single mothers. However, it highlighted that community certification remains a state subject under India's constitutional scheme. As such, the Centre pointed to the absence of uniformity i...