According to official reports, the California Supreme Court on Monday ruled a state anti-affirmative action law passed in a voter referendum does not violate the U. S. Constitution.

The Los Angeles Times has reported that the court found in a 6-1 vote that Proposition 209, which did away with the use of affirmative action by government, does not violate equal protection provisions of the Constitution.

The newspaper also said that the ruling came in a court challenge by the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation of a San Francisco policy on using affirmative action in public contracting. The ruling will allow a lawsuit to go to trial.

It was necessary, given the historical discrimination against women and minorities, say Defenders of the San Francisco program.

It has also been reported that the plaintiffs say San Francisco has no evidence to support using affirmative action.

The report further noted that California voters approved Proposition 209 in 1996. (With Inputs from Agencies)