Nitish ‘vindicated’: JD(U) hails SC verdict on sub-classification; RJD calls it ‘contradictory’

This was done to ensure the implementation of the welfare schemes meant for the SCs based on the levels of their discrimination, poverty and social position.

As per this categorisation, the Dalit group includes Paswans, while the Mahadalit category, considered to be more disadvantaged, has 21 SC groups under it.

Since 2008, the JD(U) has been rolling out over a dozen welfare schemes, skill development and education programmes for Mahadalits.

With the SC judgement Thursday, it remains to be seen if a division of reservation benefits between different SC groups will take place.

Welcoming the apex court’s ruling, JD (U) advisor and national spokesperson K C Tyagi told The Indian Express: “Bihar is one state where we have the Other Backward Caste (OBC)-Economically Backward Caste (EBC) categorisation. Nitish Kumar categorised SC quota among Dalits and Mahadalits to take government benefits to the poorest of the poor. Now, it is up to the state government to work on how to break down the quota. In a sense, Nitish Kumar has become a champion of caste sub-categorisation. He faced a lot of criticism over the nomenclature of Mahadalits. But he stands vindicated.”

Tyagi added that the JD(U) is now looking forward to Justice G Rohini Commission’s report on the sub-categorisation of OBCs.

RJD national spokesperson Subodh Kumar Mehta, however, called the top court’s verdict “contradictory”.

“As per the Constituent Assembly debates, the issue of sub-categorisation was settled and not included in the Constitution. However, today’s verdict suggests that this sub-categorisation is an artificial insertion by the judiciary. Article 341, which empowers the President to declare certain castes and classes as SCs in a state or Union Territory, can only be altered by a presidential order. This means that states do not have the power to interfere with or disturb this list, including through sub-classification. But what the verdict does is to further lend credence and weight to our long-pending demand of nationwide caste census,” said Mehta.

A state BJP leader said the party unit was still waiting to “understand the verdict”. “Though we know that we had supported the concept of Mahadalits and also the Bihar caste survey, we would have to see how the SC verdict translates on ground,” he said.

As per the Bihar caste caste survey, SCs constitute 19.65% of Bihar’s population. The community has a 16% allotted quota in the state, which is currently divided between Dalits and Mahadalits.

The total reservation pie in the state currently stands at 50% – including 18% for EBCs, 16% for SCs, 12% OBCs, 3% for OBC women and 1% for STs – besides 10% for EWS (Economically Weaker Sections).