The BSP chief appealed to the central government that if it effectively and properly advocates, based on valid arguments, and persuades the court to exclude SC and ST communities from the creamy layer, it would be completely justified and constitutional.
New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has strongly opposed the issue of the “creamy layer” in Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservations. Mayawati stated that bringing SC/ST reservations under the creamy layer is not only unfair but also against the humanitarian objectives of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s Constitution. She also accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of politicizing the reservation issue and urged the RSS to stop advocating for any tampering with reservations.
In a social media post on Sunday, Mayawati described reservations as a very important and sensitive issue related to “social transformation and economic liberation” and self-respect for the SC, ST, and OBC communities.
Mayawati stated that SC and ST communities have faced caste-based discrimination, exploitation, oppression, and social exclusion for centuries. According to her, caste hatred, injustice, and atrocities have not completely ended even today.
She argued that in such circumstances, it is inappropriate to talk about a creamy layer in SC/ST reservations. She stated that reservation cannot be viewed solely on the basis of economic status, as the impact of caste discrimination can persist despite economic advancement in various areas of a person’s life.
Mayawati stated that the purpose of reservation is not merely to provide financial assistance, but to ensure social equality, respect, and constitutional rights for historically disadvantaged communities.
Mayawati’s comments follow RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement regarding reservations. Bhagwat had stated that reservations should continue as long as social discrimination exists. He also stated that those who have already benefited from reservations should consider voluntarily relinquishing them, so that its benefits can reach those who are currently deprived. She also criticized the politicization of reservations as a cause of social tension.
Challenging Bhagwat’s view, Mayawati said that such statements about reservation undermine constitutional objectives. She accused the RSS of claiming that such views on reservation may serve narrow political interests, but undermine the constitutional goal of social equality. The BSP chief stated that it would be inappropriate to measure reservation solely by economic status. According to her, the problems faced by SC/ST communities are not only poverty but also caste discrimination and social inequality.
She stated that caste-based discrimination does not automatically disappear even if an individual or family’s economic status improves. Based on this, she opposed the concept of implementing a creamy layer in SC/ST reservations.
Referring to the current stance of the central government, Mayawati said that if the government effectively advocates in court, based on its arguments, to exclude SC/STs from the creamy layer, it would be a just and constitutional step.
Indeed, the central government, in its recent submission to the Supreme Court, opposed the implementation of a creamy layer in SC/ST reservations. The government argues that the historical and social discrimination faced by SC/ST communities differs from the creamy layer concept applied to OBCs, and that caste discrimination can persist despite economic progress.
Mayawati stated that weak legal advocacy by governments often fails to achieve the desired results in matters related to social change. Therefore, she urged the central government to provide strong legal support for its position on excluding SC/STs from the creamy layer.
In a direct message to the RSS, Mayawati said that it should respect Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s humanitarian and welfare-oriented Constitution.
She urged the RSS to stop politicizing reservations and refrain from advocating for any changes to reservations.
According to Mayawati, the Constitution’s objective is to establish an “egalitarian social system” in the country, and all organizations should cooperate in achieving this goal.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy: Hindi News