Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed strong opposition to the Supreme Court's suggestion regarding the application of a "creamy layer" within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Kharge criticised the notion, stating that it is inappropriate to discuss the concept of a creamy layer for these communities, which have historically faced discrimination and marginalisation.
Kharge emphasised that as long as untouchability persists in India, reservations for SCs and STs are essential to safeguard their rights. He also criticised the BJP-led central government for not taking concrete action on this issue during the recent budget session of Parliament. According to Kharge, the government could have resolved the matter by introducing a constitutional amendment, but it chose not to.
The Congress president also attacked the government for what he described as a systematic dismantling of public sector jobs through privatisation. He argued that this move by the government is an indirect attempt to undermine reservations for SCs and STs.
Kharge noted that many vacancies in government jobs remain unfilled, and SCs and STs are not adequately represented in higher-level positions. He suggested that the government's actions are aimed at suppressing these communities by introducing the idea of a creamy layer, which would exclude the more economically advanced members of SC/ST communities from benefiting from reservations.
Kharge's comments come in the wake of a recent Supreme Court judgement that allowed states to sub-classify SCs and STs for reservation purposes. The Court's majority ruling of 6:1 stated that such sub-classification is permissible and that the adequacy of representation should be calculated based on effective, not just quantitative, representation.
The judgement was delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, which overturned an earlier decision that had prohibited sub-classification within SCs and STs.
The Supreme Court's ruling has sparked controversy, with Congress and other opposition parties criticising the judgement. Kharge reiterated that the Congress party stands firmly against the idea of a creamy layer within SC and ST reservations.
He warned that the BJP government's actions are a threat to the reservation system, which was established to address historical injustices and provide equal opportunities for marginalised communities.
In response to the Supreme Court's judgement, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated on Friday that the Constitution, as drafted by Dr. BR Ambedkar, does not include a provision for a creamy layer within SC and ST reservations. Vaishnaw assured that the NDA government is committed to upholding the Constitution and will adhere to its provisions regarding reservations.
The issue of sub-categorization within SC and ST reservations remains a contentious topic, with differing opinions on whether it is necessary to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits or whether it undermines the principle of reservation itself.
As the debate continues, the central government's approach to this issue will likely be closely watched by political parties, social activists, and the affected communities.
Follow us
