New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday criticised Central government for its refusal to grant reservation to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) based on the “creamy layer” concept. He expressed his disappointment that the government did not introduce a bill in Parliament to nullify the Supreme Court’s recent decision on the issue.
Kharge took to X to share his views, stating, “Recently, the 7-judge Bench of the Supreme Court gave its decision in which they talked about Sub-Categorisation for people of SC-ST category. In this decision, Creamy Layer in the reservation of SC-ST category was also discussed.”
पिछले दिनों Supreme Court का 7-Judge Bench का फ़ैसला आया, जिसमें उन्होंने SC-ST वर्ग के लोगों के लिए Sub-Categorisation का बात की।
इस फ़ैसले में SC-ST वर्ग के आरक्षण में Creamy Layer की भी बात की गई।
भारत में Scheduled Caste के लोगों को सबसे पहले आरक्षण बाबासाहेब डॉ अंबेडकर के… pic.twitter.com/36fNB7nqpn
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) August 10, 2024
What Mallikarjun Kharge said
He emphasised the historical significance of reservation for SCs, recalling that it was first introduced through Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Poona Pact and later recognized in the Constitution with the contributions of leaders like Pandit Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. Kharge pointed out that despite 70 years of reservation, many government jobs reserved for SCs and STs remain unfilled.
Kharge also said that the original intent of reservation was not based on economic status but was aimed at eradicating untouchability, which continues to be a problem in society. “Therefore, it is wrong to talk about creamy layer in SC-ST community. Congress party is against it,” he added.
He accused the government of diminishing job opportunities by selling off public sector undertakings (PSUs) and criticised the ruling party for what he called a “Dalit-tribal mentality” that is undermining the reservation system.
Kharge urged the government to resolve the issue through a constitutional amendment. He said, “If the government wanted, it could have resolved this issue by bringing a constitutional amendment in this session itself. If the Modi government brings a new bill within 2-3 hours, then this is also possible.”
He added that Congress is consulting with intellectuals, experts, and NGOs to discuss the nuances of the Supreme Court’s judgement.
Earlier this month, a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, ruled in a 6:1 majority judgement that state governments could sub-classify communities within the SC list based on empirical data. Justice BR Gavai said that states should identify the creamy layer within SCs and STs and deny them reservation benefits.