Dalit group demands quota in private sector, enactment of Equal Employment Opportunity Act, criticises creamy layer in reservations

During a discussion held at Delhi’s Constitution Club of India on 27 August under the banner of the All India Institute of Scheduled Castes Activists (AIISCA), speakers criticised the creamy layer in SC/ST reservations, demanded reservations in the private sector, and called for the enactment of an Equal Employment Opportunity Act.

Khushi Goswami

“If one seriously goes beyond the popular political narrative around reservations constructed by the Hindu upper caste, then the illustration by Babasaheb Ambedkar takes us back to the origin of reservations in India, not as mere welfare measures but as core negotiations between the modern Indian state and Scheduled Castes as minorities,” said Dr. Rahul Sonpimple, President of the All India Institute of Scheduled Castes Activists (AIISCA).

He read a part from Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste and it read: “What does the history of Irish Home Rule show? It is well-known that in the course of the negotiations between the representatives of Ulster and Southern Ireland, Mr. Redmond, the representative of Southern Ireland, in order to bring Ulster into a Home Rule Constitution common to the whole of Ireland, said to the representatives of Ulster: ‘Ask any political safeguards you like and you shall have them.’ What was the reply that Ulstermen gave? Their reply was, ‘Damn your safeguards, we don’t want to be ruled by you on any terms.’ People who blame the minorities in India ought to consider what would have happened to the political aspirations of the majority, if the minorities had taken the attitude which Ulster took.”

Dr. Sonpimple criticised the Supreme Court’s verdict, arguing that it should be rejected due to a lack of empirical evidence and the overriding of constitutional arrangements.

He questioned the authority of the judiciary to make changes to SC/ST reservations, emphasising that such decisions should rest with Parliament.

“Has the Indian state fulfilled this negotiation? No supporter of justice, observing the miserable condition of SCs and STs, would take the stand of the Indian state. Rightfully, one should question both the government and the judiciary: Has the Indian state failed to keep its democratic promise to its marginalized?,” he asked.

Former Delhi minister and senior Dalit politician Rajendra Pal Gautam, echoed this sentiment, expressing his views on the Supreme Court’s judgment.

Gautam argued that sub-classifying SCs within a heterogeneous society is unjust and divisive. He questioned whether the concerns of the affected communities were adequately considered during the hearings, emphasising the principle of natural justice.

Gautam challenged the data used by the Union government to justify the judgment and warned of potential conflicts among SC/ST communities due to the unequal distribution of government job quotas.

“Na jhukenge, Na rukenge, Na pitenge, hum ladenge,” he declared, signaling a commitment to fight for equal distribution of resources and reservations in the private sector.

Writer Anita Bharti, the next panelist, shared her experiences as a first-generation student benefiting from reservations.

She reflected on her 40-year involvement in the movement and the pain of witnessing attempts to divide the community.

Bharti highlighted the suppression of marginalised voices in films and literature and recounted the Mirchpur incident, where an irate mob burned the homes of Dalit families, leading to the death of a physically disabled girl. She urged society to take responsibility and work towards equality, rather than perpetuating oppression.

Jawaharlal Nehru University professor and noted academic Harish Wankhede emphasised the importance of the AIISCA discussion in advancing equality for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

He criticised the lack of progress in ensuring equal representation in government jobs and political power and expressed concern over the depression and despair experienced by Scheduled Castes due to inadequate housing, land, and reservation policies. In his view, the Supreme Court’s judgment represents a significant setback for these communities.

Dr. Ritu Singh joined Wankhede in condemning the judgment, highlighting the strong voice of dissent that has emerged in response. She argued that equality for Scheduled Castes and Tribes is crucial for breaking the cycle of historical discrimination, particularly in education. Singh criticised the political motivations behind the judgment and called for equal opportunities for these communities.

Khushi is a literature student with a keen interest in media and research and an editorial intern with  Maktoob.

Courtesy : Maktoob Media

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