Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati has voiced strong support for the nationwide ‘Bharat Bandh’ protest against the Supreme Court’s recent decision on reservation policies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
The protest is organised by the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and is taking place today to challenge the court’s ruling that allows states to sub-classify SCs and STs within reservation categories.
On August 1, the Supreme Court ruled that states have the authority to sub-classify SCs and STs and should assess whether a group is adequately represented based on effective representation rather than just numerical counts. This landmark ruling has sparked significant backlash from various groups and political parties.
Mayawati has criticised the court’s decision, citing widespread anger and frustration among SC and ST communities. She argues that the ruling is part of a broader conspiracy to undermine and eventually eliminate reservation policies. According to Mayawati, both the BJP and Congress are colluding to weaken these protections for marginalised communities.
In her statements, Mayawati highlighted the historical struggle for reservation rights led by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. She emphasised that the reservation system is a vital constitutional right and urged all parties to respect its importance rather than politicise it.
The Bharat Bandh has seen various forms of protest across the country. In Bihar’s Jehanabad district, demonstrators blocked National Highway 83 as part of their actions.
The Supreme Court’s decision, delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, was passed with a majority of 6:1. The ruling overturned a previous judgement that had deemed sub-classification within SC and ST categories impermissible.
The ruling allows for states to identify a “creamy layer” within SC and ST groups, potentially excluding them from certain reservation benefits. This has led to concerns among many who believe it undermines the original intent of the reservation system.
Justice BR Gavai, one of the judges in the majority, suggested that states should create policies to identify and exclude the creamy layer from reservations. However, Justice Bela M Trivedi dissented, arguing against the majority decision and expressing concerns about its impact on SC and ST communities.
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