Within the nation, reservations are always a delicate and important topic that sparks important debates and activities. The Indian Supreme Court recently handed down one of the key rulings opposing job reservation. In response, groups and communities organized an all-India “Bharat Bandh” (Indian Strike) on August 21 in response to this, issuing a broad statewide demand. Over the issue of reservation for SC/ST, Dalit organizations have been protesting against the Supreme Court’s decision. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has been protesting the case and has asked its workers to participate in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ summit.
Supreme Court Judgment
On SC/ST reservation, the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench passed an important verdict on August 1. The court held that when there is an existing reservation quota, states are entitled to provide further subcategories within it, making provisions for state governments in which reserving subcategories in the Scheduled Castes and Tribes can be affected. The apex court also made it clear that the definition that pertains to the ‘creamy layer’ among the Scheduled Castes, equal to the definition already available for the Other Backward Classes, would also be applicable. The judgment has been received with opposition by many leaders, including BSP Chief Mayawati.
quota within quota
A new reservation system will be introduced within the existing percentage so that those who were left out can avail of it. In 2004, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court in the case of E.V. Chinnaiah vs. State of Andhra Pradesh stated that the state governments can’t make the subcategories for the reservations in jobs of SCs and STs. But the recent one goes against the earlier proclamation. BSP’s Stand on Bharat Bandh
BSP’s National Coordinator, Akash Anand, tweeted that there is intense anger within the SC/ST community over the verdict by the Supreme Court on the reservation. The community has given a call to hold Bharat Bandh on August 21. He felt the SC/ST is peaceful, cooperative, to the last degree, and always stands by others in such joys and sorrows as come to all human beings. But he also talked about their freedom being threatened.
Government’s Reaction
After this decision, the government has called for peace and order, given the situation arising. It says that even if the Supreme Court has delivered its judgment, the government is also on the same page and well appreciates the feelings of the citizenry. In this regard, security has been beefed up in some states, with additional police forces deployed in sensitive areas. “The reservation policy that the Supreme Court will order and any verdict on the nationwide call for ‘Bharat Bandh’ on August 21 may have consequences for the social structure of the nation.”
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