BJP wants to push SC/ST sub-classification to divide Dalit, tribal unity: Cong leader Nitin Raut

In a statement issued here, Raut, also a Dalit leader, said, “The Supreme Court decision to allow states to do sub-classification within SC/STs will lead to discrimination and division within these backward class categories. It threatens the unity within SC/STs.”

“The BJP government at the Centre is casteist. They want to create unrest within SC/STs. It will create unrest as sub-communities within SC/STs will fight against each other. It is dangerous for the unity of SC/STs who are always at the receiving end,” he said.

In 2005, the Supreme Court had rejected the demand for sub-classification.

“Under the pretext of sub-classification, BJP wants to finish off the dominant communities within SC/STs. Its stated objective is to make two communities fight each other, which does not auger well for society. At present, the Dalits and tribals are united. They are a force to be reckoned. The right wing parties want to weaken them on the pretext of sub-classification,” he said.

He, however, admitted that there are some sub-communities within SC/STs who are more backward. “Their failure to avail the reservation benefits are also understandable. But then devoting quota within quota is not the solution. Instead, these most backward segments within SC/STs should be provided with better education and livelihood. They will have to be supported to enable them to rise to levels where they would withstand competition and succeed,” he said.

“By just creating quota within quota without addressing the minimum basic requirements of the backward segments is not going to empower them. To the contrary, these quotas designated through sub-classification will remain underutilised. Thus depriving and defeating the objective of reservation for SC-ST,” Raut said.