Critics argue that the court decision undermines the fundamental principles of social justice, leading to divisions within already marginalised communities.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Bahujan organisations have called for a nationwide bandh on August 21 to protest against the Supreme Court’s recent verdict allowing sub-categorisation within reservation categories for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). The bandh, called by Bhim Army’s Satpal Tanwar, has quickly gained attention and garnered widespread support from hundreds of activists and Bahujan-led socio-political organisations.
The Supreme Court’s verdict has sparked discontent among several social and political organisations, which see it as a threat to the basic purpose of affirmative action policies designed to uplift historically marginalised communities. The verdict allows splitting of existing reservation quotas among various sub-categories within the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe groups. Critics argue that the move undermines fundamental principles of social justice, likely creating divisions within already marginalised communities.
The call for a shutdown has received significant support from activist groups and civil society organisations. Protests are expected in major cities and towns across the country. Organisers aim to disrupt normal activities and draw national attention to what they consider to be a grave injustice.
In response to the decision, a group of affected parties is preparing to file a review petition before the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn or modify the decision. They argue that the decision contradicts the principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
On the issue, social activist and founder of Tribal Army Hansraj Meena wrote on social media platform X, “Manuvadis say that this Raju should be classified in SC so that he gets the benefit of reservation. But the BJP spent Raju’s budget on cow and religion welfare, due to which his children could not study. Then where will the child reach? So should you let him get his rights from NFS? Never #21_August_Bharat_Bandh”
In another post, he wrote, “Dalit, tribal society is not behind any leader or party. They are standing with us to protect their rights. Society is not blind; it is watching everything. Do not be deaf and dumb. If you have taken votes in the name of saving the Constitution and reservation, then also show the honesty to stand with them.”
Famous film producer PA Ranjit also condemned the court’s decision. He said, “The Supreme Court’s recent decision on introducing ‘creamy layer’ for SC/ST reservation is extremely worrying and is strongly condemned. Caste is a socio-cultural identity, which cannot change with economic status. ‘Creamy layer’ in SC/ST categories undermines the essence of affirmative action aimed at social justice. Reservation relative to the SC/ST population is inadequate, leading to significant under-representation. The bench’s brahminical approach fails to address the systemic oppression faced by the SC/ST population, instead promoting further exclusion. The focus should be expanding quotas to reflect demographic realities, not creating new divisions.”
Predictably, national political parties have remained largely silent on the Supreme Court’s decision and have failed to clarify their position. In contrast, Ambedkarite parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) have strongly condemned the decision.
Prakash Ambedkar, president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, criticised the judiciary for its lack of representation and its approach towards marginalised communities.
He said, “The judiciary needs representation first! The judiciary is passing judgements on marginalised and discriminated castes (reserved categories) and patting itself on the back. However, they fail to acknowledge that there is no representation of these communities within the judiciary. Instead, there is clear backwardness among the upper castes, and there should be a discussion about classification within the general category. Why this hypocrisy?”
Ambedkar also urged Dalits to hold accountable the so-called pro-Dalit parties like the BJP and the Congress, which have supported the classification decision affecting the Scheduled Castes.
Major parties in the INDIA bloc including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Communist Party of India, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha have not yet issued any statement.
