Silence Of SP And Congress On SC/ST Quota Sub-Classification Reflects Their Anti-Reservation Mindset: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati on Saturday (24 August) slammed the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress for their 'silence' on the Supreme Court's ruling that permitted sub-classification within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) reservation, labelling their stance as "anti-reservation".

In a series of posts on X in Hindi, Mayawati questioned the intention of the two parties which are partners in the INDI Alliance.

"The Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress and others speak in support of SC/ST reservations out of self-interest and compulsion, but they have remained silent on the Supreme Court's decision dated 1 August 2024, regarding the classification of SC/ST reservations and the creamy layer. This silence reflects their anti-reservation mindset. In such a situation, it is important to stay alert," Mayawati said.

"The conduct, character, and face of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress have always been anti-SC/ST, as evidenced by their lack of active support for the Bharat Bandh. Anyway, their statements regarding reservation do not make it clear whether they are in favour of or against the Supreme Court's decision. Why is there such confusion?" she asked.

According to Mayawati, these parties seem to have united internally against reservation once again, suggesting that not only SC/ST communities but also Other Backward Classes (OBCs) need to prepare to fight for their rights, including the protection of their reservation, the constitution, and the caste census, on their own.

On 1 August, a seven-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, delivered a 6:1 majority verdict allowing states to make sub-classifications within SCs and STs.

This decision aims to ensure that more backward subgroups within these communities receive reservations, provided such sub-classifications are justified by appropriate standards and data.

Following this ruling, several Dalit and tribal organisations called for a one-day nationwide strike on 21 August to protest against the Supreme Court's decision on sub-classification within SCs and STs.

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