Various Adivasi-Dalit organisations in Kerala have called for a state-wide hartal on August 21 to protest against the recent Supreme Court verdict on sub-categorisation of reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The protestors allege that the verdict aims to divide the SC/ST list on a caste basis and introduce a 'creamy layer'. Despite the BJP government's assurance, the central government has yet to acknowledge that the creamy layer division is the basis for categorising the list, as stated by the protestors. The Union Cabinet has also asserted that there is no provision for a creamy layer in the reservation for SCs and STs in the Constitution given by B R Ambedkar.
Background:
The caste system in India, a hierarchical social structure based on birth, has historically marginalized and discriminated against individuals from lower castes, including Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). These communities have been granted reservations in education and employment to address historical injustices.
Recent Protests:
On August 21, various Adivasi-Dalit organizations in Kerala called for a state-wide hartal (strike) to protest the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the sub-categorization of reservations for SCs and STs. The verdict allows states to create separate categories within these groups based on socioeconomic factors.
Protestors' Concerns:
Protestors allege that the verdict will:
Government's Response:
The BJP government in Kerala has assured protestors that it will not implement the verdict without consulting the SC/ST community. However, the central government has maintained that there is no provision for a "creamy layer" in reservations for SCs and STs.
FAQs:
1. Why are the protestors opposed to the verdict?
Protestors believe the verdict will create a divide within the SC/ST community and limit access to reservations for the most marginalized individuals.
2. What is the "creamy layer" concept?
In the context of reservations, "creamy layer" refers to economically well-off individuals who do not require special assistance. The protestors fear that its application to SCs and STs will exclude many qualified candidates.
3. What is the constitutional basis for reservations?
Reservations for SCs and STs have been enshrined in the Indian Constitution under Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) to address historical discrimination and promote their upliftment.
4. What other SC/ST-related protests have occurred in the past?
In 2018, a nationwide strike was called by Dalit organizations to protest the dilution of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
5. What steps have been taken to address caste-based discrimination in India?
The government has implemented various measures to combat caste discrimination, including laws against untouchability and caste-based violence, as well as affirmative action policies for SCs and STs. However, caste prejudice persists in various forms.
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