Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court’s decision to allow states to sub-categorise castes within the Scheduled Caste (SC) community has evoked a mixed response from activists and politicians. While one group believes that more deserving people within the community should reap the benefits of the reservation system, another group is opposed to the decision.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court permitted states to sub-categorise castes within the Scheduled Castes (SC) based on socio-economic backwardness and the degree of under-representation in govt jobs. This measure aims to ensure that larger share of 15 per cent quota goes to the most backward among them. Human rights activist and lawyer Radhakant Tripathy stated that underprivileged people from the SC category should have an advantage over well-off SC families. “This judgment will bring a ray of hope for the deprived masses,” he added. Rabi Behera, chairman of OBC forum, said sub-categorisation of SC community should not exist as long as untouchability, inequality, and social discrimination continue. He added that the weaker sections should unite against it.
Abhiram Mallick, convenor of the SCST and OBC joint action committee, said they would not accept the sub-categorisation within the SC caste. This will create hatred between one sub-group and another sub-group of the community. We will take up this issue at the national level, he added.
Shashi Bhusan Behera, a former minister and a BJD politician, said a creamy layer system should be introduced. “The creamy layer system will facilitate the community’s poor and underprivileged to get representation. I cannot comment on the sub-categorisation of the SC community because I am yet to read the detailed judgement,” he added. Former Congress MP Ananta Prasad Sethi said the judgment needs to be studied well before making any comments on this sensitive issue.

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