PATNA: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan on Sunday expressed his disagreement with the Supreme Court observation over creamy layer among Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) and announced that his party would file a review petition against the ruling.
Chirag, who got elected from his father late Ram Vilas Paswan’s home constituency of Hajipur in the Lok Sabha polls, draws strength from a sizeable Dalit vote base.According to the recent Bihar caste survey, SC and ST together comprise 21.3% of the state’s total population, indicating their political significance.
Talking to mediapersons here, Chirag said the basis for granting reservation to this community is “untouchability” and hence the concept of “creamy layer” should not apply.
“We disagree with the Supreme Court’s observation and have registered it prominently. We are clear that the basis of classification of the Scheduled Caste is untouchability, not educational or economic status. So, there can’t be a provision for creamy layer…reservation within reservation is not fair,” Chirag said, adding his party would soon file a review petition in the Supreme Court.
Stating that the quota within quota doesn’t apply to Scheduled Castes, Chirag said the people from this community are discriminated against even today. “Many people from this community hold high positions yet when they visit temples, these places are purified with the Ganga water. Even today we get to see Dalit grooms being prevented from riding a horse. Discrimination takes place due to untouchability,” he said.
Chirag, who got elected from his father late Ram Vilas Paswan’s home constituency of Hajipur in the Lok Sabha polls, draws strength from a sizeable Dalit vote base.According to the recent Bihar caste survey, SC and ST together comprise 21.3% of the state’s total population, indicating their political significance.
Talking to mediapersons here, Chirag said the basis for granting reservation to this community is “untouchability” and hence the concept of “creamy layer” should not apply.
“We disagree with the Supreme Court’s observation and have registered it prominently. We are clear that the basis of classification of the Scheduled Caste is untouchability, not educational or economic status. So, there can’t be a provision for creamy layer…reservation within reservation is not fair,” Chirag said, adding his party would soon file a review petition in the Supreme Court.
Stating that the quota within quota doesn’t apply to Scheduled Castes, Chirag said the people from this community are discriminated against even today. “Many people from this community hold high positions yet when they visit temples, these places are purified with the Ganga water. Even today we get to see Dalit grooms being prevented from riding a horse. Discrimination takes place due to untouchability,” he said.
Source Agencies
