NEW DELHI: Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has accused the opposition of causing confusion regarding the Supreme Court’s recent “observation” on the creamy layer among Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). He emphasized that the Constitution crafted by B.R. Ambedkar does not include a provision for a creamy layer, and affirmed that the BJP-led NDA government remains committed to maintaining the reservation system as outlined in the Constitution.
Meghwal criticized the opposition for misinterpreting the Supreme Court’s stance, which was merely an observation rather than a directive on the creamy layer issue. He stated that while the Court has allowed states the option to sub-classify SCs and STs based on empirical data, it has not mandated any changes regarding the creamy layer.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had condemned the notion of denying reservations to SCs and STs due to the creamy layer and urged the government to introduce legislation to overturn this aspect of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Earlier this month, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud ruled by a 6:1 majority that state governments could sub-classify communities within the SC category, but did not make a definitive ruling on the creamy layer issue. Meghwal stressed that there is a clear distinction between an observation and a judicial directive.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reiterated the NDA government’s commitment to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitutional provisions, highlighting that the Union Cabinet supports these principles.
