Tejas demands clarity from JD(U) on quota issue | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: Leader of opposition in the state assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on Friday criticised the Centre for not including the hike in quota in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution, as proposed by the Bihar govt after the caste-based survey in the state.
“The Centre has given a wrong reply to RJD MP Manoj Jha’s question in this regard in the Parliament.Since the beginning, the BJP was not in favour of an increase in the quota for backwards, extremely backwards, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. We had apprehension that they would not let it happen, given the way they were putting obstacles in carrying out the caste-based headcount. We will protest on the road and go with our points to the Supreme Court,” Tejashwi told reporters at his 5, Deshratna Marg residence here.
He also asked the JD(U), led by CM Nitish Kumar, to make its stand clear on the issue. “JD(U) is part of the central govt. Bihar govt should make its stand clear. Neither BJP in Bihar, nor Nitish Kumar is speaking on this issue,” he said.
Tejashwi accused the Centre of misleading the Parliament on the question asked by RJD MP Jha. “The Centre, in its written reply on July 31, had stated that inclusion of increased reservation in the 9th schedule of the Constitution was under the jurisdiction of the state govt. The minister gave a wrong and misleading reply in the Parliament. They should technically explain how this matter comes under the purview of the state govt. In fact, we were waiting for the Centre’s stand to be cleared on this issue in order to take the next step. Now, on Monday, we will move the SC with our points.”
Tejashwi also raised the issue of special status denied to Bihar, saying they will be protesting on all these issues.
Regarding sub-classification within scheduled Caste and scheduled tribe categories, Tejashwi said, “The RJD was never in favour of it. In order to give justice, jobs should be provided. Dalits and adivasis are still being discriminated against, thrashed and not allowed to sit on the horse. The temple is washed even when Akhilesh Yadav and Jitan Ram Manjhi visit,” he added.
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RJD and CPI(ML) MPs demonstrated outside Parliament seeking inclusion of Bihar’s increased 65% reservation for SCs, STs, EBCs, and BCs in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to protect it from legal scrutiny. The demand followed the Supreme Court’s refusal to stay a Patna HC order that quashed the increased quota. JD(U) awaits the final Supreme Court order.
The Supreme Court permitted states to sub-categorize Scheduled Castes based on socio-economic backwardness and degree of under-representation. The bench overruled a previous judgment and emphasized the need for empirical data. The Court also suggested excluding the creamy layer from reservations, focusing aid on the most disadvantaged and ensuring judicious use of affirmative action.
The Supreme Court ruled that Scheduled Castes are not a homogenous group and can be sub-classified for reservation purposes. This overruled a 2004 judgment. The decision allows states to use empirical data to allocate more benefits to those who faced more discrimination among SCs. The bench offered six opinions in favor and one dissent.
