Mayawati Opposes SC Verdict on Sub-classification Within Scheduled Castes

BSP chief Mayawati has voiced her opposition to the Supreme Court's decision allowing sub-classification within Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). She argued that the ruling could dilute the reservation benefits for SCs and STs and called on Parliament to overturn the verdict and include reservation policies in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday strongly opposed the recent Supreme Court verdict permitting sub-classification within Scheduled Castes, urging Parliament to overturn the ruling.

In her press conference, Mayawati stated, "The sub-classification of people within Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) has been permitted, our party doesn't agree with it at all."

The Supreme Court's landmark verdict on Thursday empowered states to make sub-classifications within the socially heterogeneous SCs for reservation purposes. Mayawati alleged that this would divert reservation benefits away from SCs and STs to the general category.

Quoting her, a BSP statement read, "Many problems will arise from this order, resulting in the deprivation of reservation for SCs and STs, with benefits eventually diverted to the general category."

She also urged Parliament to include reservation policies in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to protect them from judicial review.

Mayawati argued, "The atrocities faced by people of SCs and STs have been as a group, making it unfair to create sub-classifications."

The former chief minister expressed concerns that the Supreme Court's decision risks undoing the progress made in uplifting Dalits and tribals.

"Only 10 or 11 percent of the SC-ST community have become economically strong," she claimed, "while the remaining 90 percent are still in dire conditions."

She criticized the ruling party and the Congress, stating that both failed to advocate properly for SC-ST communities and called on the BJP to amend the Constitution if their intentions are genuine.

Mayawati warned that the decision might allow state governments to manipulate reservations for political advantages, increasing disparities.