New Delhi: In response to the Supreme Courts recent ruling allowing sub-classification within the reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), Union Minister Chirag Paswan announced that the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will challenge the decision. The party, a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed its intention to seek a review of the courts judgment, which they argue overlooks the primary basis for classifying Scheduled Castes: untouchability.Paswans objection to sub-classificationAt a press conference, Chirag Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), stated his objection to the courts decision. The Supreme Court has given a judgment on sub-classification, and while I dont want to speak in a way that could be considered contempt of court, we certainly have an objection. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) will file a review petition, Paswan declared. He emphasized that untouchability has always been the cornerstone of SC classification, not economic or educational status.Paswan highlighted ongoing discrimination, pointing out that even today, we see Dalit grooms being stopped from riding horses, and educated SC individuals from well-off families still face untouchability. He asserted that the concept of a creamy layer does not apply to SCs because their categorization is based on historical discrimination, not economic criteria.Partys call for reconsiderationThe Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) took to social media to reiterate its stance against the Supreme Courts decision. The party urged the court to reconsider to prevent discrimination within the SC/ST community, recalling the legacy of its founder, Ram Vilas Paswan, a prominent Dalit leader. They stressed that as long as untouchability persists, there should be no sub-categorization within SC/ST reservations.Supreme Courts justification for sub-classificationThe Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, upheld the decision to allow sub-classification, arguing that systemic discrimination often hinders SC/ST members from advancing. The court cited Article 14, which permits such sub-classification, acknowledging the social heterogeneity within the SC/ST groups. The Centre supported this move, noting that not sub-classifying perpetuates inequality within reserved categories.Paswans stance on caste censusRegarding the ongoing debate on the caste census, Paswan expressed support for the enumeration but advised against making its findings public. We should have a caste census for policy-making purposes, but its findings must not be publicized, he stated, emphasizing the importance of the data in framing effective government policies.
