Chirag Paswan Mobilizes SC MPs Against Sub-Quota Verdict

Union Minister Chirag Paswan is rallying Scheduled Caste MPs to oppose a Supreme Court judgment allowing sub-categorization within reserved communities. Paswan plans to file a review plea in the apex court, seeking support from various MPs. The verdict has polarized political parties, eliciting varied responses from key leaders.

Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan is spearheading efforts to convene a meeting of Scheduled Caste MPs across party lines in response to a contentious Supreme Court ruling. The judgment, which permits sub-categorization of reservations within the community, has spurred Paswan into mobilizing support as his party prepares to file a review plea in the apex court.

Paswan has voiced his disapproval of the verdict and is reaching out to SC MPs to gauge their perspectives. This move comes amid internal deliberations within major national parties, who have remained largely silent on the issue. Paswan is expected to organize a formal meeting with MPs soon.

The response from SC MPs remains uncertain, with many expressing divergent views influenced by their constituencies' sentiments. Parties reliant on SC support, like Paswan's LJP and Mayawati's BSP, have openly opposed the judgment. Conversely, BJP ally and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has endorsed the verdict, highlighting under-representation in his own community.

Critics argue that sub-quotas could exacerbate existing issues of unfilled reserved positions due to a lack of qualified applicants. The BJP and Congress have abstained from taking definitive positions, leaving it to regional leaders to navigate the controversy. The Supreme Court's ruling, delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, allows states to further classify SCs and STs to ensure equitable quota distribution among more disadvantaged castes.