Bharat Bandh Update: Bhajan Lal government has presented its stand regarding the classification of SC-ST reservation before Bharat Bandh. Know…
Bharat Bandh 2024: Bharat Bandh has been announced on August 21 to protest against the Supreme Court’s decision regarding Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation (SC-ST Reservation). Earlier on Monday, State Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot presented the government’s side in front of the media. He clarified that whatever final decision the Central Government takes, the State Government will take steps accordingly.
He said that Scheduled Castes and Tribes have got reservation under constitutional provisions. The Central Government has created a set of Central Lists for Scheduled Castes and Tribes under Articles 341 and 342. There is no provision for sub-classification, nor is the creamy layer applicable. According to the decision of the Supreme Court, the state government has the right to sub-classify. The court has also asked not to make sub-classification without collecting data and without analysis.
Minister Gehlot said that on August 1, 2024, the Supreme Court overturned its own decision given in the case of Andhra Pradesh in the year 2004, in which it was also made clear that all ST and SC castes are not equal. Due to the benefits of reservation, some castes and tribes have become socially and educationally better off than others and these castes have started taking most of the benefits of reservation.