Supreme Court Upholds Bihar's Sub-Classifications for Scheduled Castes

A Supreme Court judgement validating state ability to create sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes, supporting Bihar's existing sub-categories like ‘Mahadalits’, has been hailed by a key aide to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The judgement overrides a 2014 verdict limiting such sub-classifications, seen as crucial for targeting reservation to the most disadvantaged.

A landmark Supreme Court judgement has affirmed the authority of states to create sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes for reservation purposes, a decision resonating strongly in Bihar.

State minister and JD(U) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary noted that Bihar had long established sub-categories like 'Mahadalits' and 'ati-pichda' to ensure reservation benefits reached the most deserving.

Chaudhary emphasized that the Supreme Court ruling vindicated Bihar's stance, aligning with the concept of the 'creamy layer' within reserved categories to exclude socially and economically advanced individuals from reservation benefits.

(With inputs from agencies.)