Supreme Court's Historic Verdict on State Sub-Classification of SCs and STs

Political parties on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court's decision allowing states to create sub-classifications within the Scheduled Castes (SCs) for quota purposes. This move aims to uplift socially and economically backward castes within the group. A seven-judge Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, ruled by a 6:1 majority that states can further sub-classify SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to ensure quotas for more backward castes within these groups.

Historic Ruling Welcomed

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu praised the verdict, noting that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) initiated this process in 1996 with the Justice Ramachandra Raju Commission on SC sub-categorisation. "Justice should be done to all sections and social justice should win. This is the philosophy of the TDP. Sub-classification will be useful to reach out to the poorest sections," Naidu said during a public address in Srisailam.

BJP leader and Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav also termed the decision historic, stating that justice has been served to the downtrodden sections. Similarly, YSRCP leader A Suresh emphasised that the judgment should be used for uplifting SCs rather than for opportunistic politics.

State Leaders' Reactions

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the ruling historic, noting it removes a major obstacle in implementing internal reservations. "With the Supreme Court's verdict, a major obstacle in the implementation of internal reservations has been removed," he posted on X. He added that consultations with SC leaders and legal experts would follow to address contentious aspects like the creamy layer issue.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin highlighted that the ruling recognises the DMK's Dravidian model and efforts for social justice. "Today's Supreme Court judgment is another recognition of our #DravidianModel journey to establish #SocialJustice for the social liberation of the oppressed people," Stalin said on X. He noted that a formal committee had set apart three per cent internal reservation for the Arunthathiyar community based on data collected.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed gratitude towards the Supreme Court, stating that Telangana strongly argued for sub-classifications in court. "I sincerely thank the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court of India. Six out of seven judges said that state governments can take up the sub-classification," Reddy said. He added that Telangana would be the first state to implement this sub-classification.

Political Parties' Stance

BRS working president K T Rama Rao welcomed the verdict, asserting his party's consistent support for sub-categorisation while accusing other parties of vote bank politics. "We demand that the state government implement the sub-categorisation immediately," Rao stated.

CPIM general Secretary Sitaram Yechury noted that a longstanding issue had been settled by allowing sub-classification of SCs and separate quotas for more backward SC categories. "Governments, both Union and states, as directed by the SC, must now take all measures to bring backward sections of the SCs into the fold of socially affirmative action," Yechury said on X.

Reactions from Bihar and Other States

A key aide of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claimed that this judgment vindicates Bihar's long-standing stance on creating sub-categories like Mahadalits and Ati-pichhda (extremely backward classes). State minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary stated, "These sub-quotas ensure that reservation benefits reach the most needy people."

Lok Sabha MP Chandrashekhar Azad raised concerns about implementing this verdict without conducting a caste census first. Congress MP Pappu Yadav echoed these sentiments, stressing that a caste-based census is essential for effective implementation.

Shambhavi Chaudhary from Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas highlighted that reservation was meant to uplift those left behind due to untouchability, thus arguing against applying creamy and non-creamy layers to SC/ST reservations.

BJP MP Brij Lal welcomed the decision, asserting it addresses economic disparities within SC/ST communities. "I welcome the Supreme Court's decision because it ensures that those SC/ST families who have generations in government jobs and have become wealthy should not get reservation," Lal stated.

Congress MP Sukhdev Bhagat emphasised representation in reservations, aligning with constitutional principles as interpreted by the apex court. "The SC is the highest interpreter of the Constitution and reservation is about representation," Bhagat remarked.

The Supreme Court's ruling has been widely welcomed across political lines as a step towards greater social justice while raising important discussions about its implementation and future impact on India's reservation system.