“By implementing the creamy layer, untouchables are being marginalized”: Mallikarjun Kharge

After engaging in discussions on the matter of sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes, the Congress stated on Saturday that the ruling on the sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes is a significant setback for the Dalit community and indicates the BJP's covert intention to gradually phase out reservations. Despite the Supreme Court's August 1 decision allowing sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes quotas, reasoning that they do not constitute a socially homogeneous class, the Congress leadership had remained silent on the issue until now and was holding internal consultations and meeting with stakeholders. On Saturday, after several recent meetings, the Congress declared its stance with party president Mallikarjun Kharge stating that "excluding SC-ST people from reservations by deeming them as part of the creamy layer is a significant blow to their community" and that the party will oppose it. He also urged other opposition parties to unite on this issue. In the seven-judge ruling of August 1, Justice B R Gavai, in his opinion, wrote that "the state must devise a policy to identify the creamy layer even within Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in order to exclude them from the benefits of affirmative action." Kharge emphasized that "the Scheduled Caste Community received reservations through Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Poona Pact," and that later, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi continued the reservation policy.  Along with the issue of political reservation, the topic of reservation in education and employment was also of great importance. However, excluding SC-ST individuals from reservation by labeling them as the "creamy layer" is a significant setback for them. This action reveals the BJP's intentions to gradually end reservation. Kharge claimed that the public sector is being shut down and that it is being handed over to private players. He stated that they are not filling up the thousands of vacancies that are available. Additionally, he pointed out that individuals from all Scheduled Castes are not being admitted to the backlog vacancies. Regarding the creamy layer issue, the Congress leader stated, "No person from the SCs is on any significant posts. Who do you want to benefit by bringing in a creamy layer?"  When you implement a creamy layer, you are hindering progress for the Untouchables and SC community, while on the other hand, you are providing opportunities to those who have historically enjoyed privileges. He stated that as long as untouchability persists in the nation, reservation should continue. The issue of the creamy layer, raised by the seven judges, has not been adequately considered by them. According to him, the reservation system should remain unchanged until untouchability is eradicated in the nation, and he vowed to fight for it. He also pointed out that despite having wealth, individuals within the community still face discrimination, such as being denied entry to temples or being seated separately. In some areas of Karnataka, they are even barred from entering. He gave the example of a BJP minister who was not allowed entry by a particular community. He asserted that until these issues are resolved, there should be no changes to the reservation system. Additionally, he criticized the government for failing to bring the issue to the Parliament for discussion, despite having the capability to draft legislation quickly. Several political parties, such as Mayawati’s BSP, Chiraj Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party, and Ramdas Athawale’s Republican Party of India, which have a significant Dalit vote base, have already criticized various aspects of the ruling. Paswan has even stated that his party will seek a Supreme Court review of the judgment.