The much-discussed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case, popularly known as the Indira Sawhney judgment, is considered historic because:

Correct option is C

The correct Answer is (c) The courts have accepted the justification and need for reservation for backward classes in government jobs.
Explanation
The Indira Sawhney judgment (1992), also known as the Mandal Commission case, is considered historic because the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in government jobs. This decision solidified the use of caste as a valid indicator for determining backwardness, alongside social and educational factors, thereby accepting the justification for such reservations. 
The court also established several key principles:
· It introduced the "creamy layer" concept to exclude socially and economically advanced individuals among the backward classes from the benefits of reservation.
· It mandated a 50% cap on total reservations to maintain administrative efficiency and equality of opportunity.
· It ruled that reservations could only be applied to initial appointments, not promotions (though this was later modified by constitutional amendments). 
The judgment ensured that while social justice was pursued through affirmative action, it was balanced with the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity.