Lucknow, August 23, 2024
Lucknow – Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Chief Mayawati has launched a strong critique against both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition INDIA bloc, accusing them of mishandling the sensitive issue of reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
In a statement released on social media, Mayawati criticized the BJP-led central government for its perceived indifference towards implementing the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding reservation policies. The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement earlier this month, permitted state governments to sub-classify SC communities and identify a “creamy layer” within these groups that could be excluded from reservation benefits.
Mayawati asserted that the BJP has not taken substantive steps to amend the system to align with public expectations and to counter the court’s ruling. She condemned the government’s alleged weak advocacy in court and its failure to introduce a Constitutional Amendment Bill to address the issue, accusing the BJP of maintaining an “anti-SC/ST reservation” stance.
The BSP leader also targeted opposition parties, particularly the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP), as well as the INDIA bloc, for their silence on the matter. Mayawati contended that this inaction reflects their lack of genuine concern for the welfare and upliftment of SCs and STs. She asserted that only the BSP, with its Ambedkarite ideology, truly represents the interests of these communities.
Earlier this week, a nationwide strike called by some Dalit and tribal groups in protest against the Supreme Court’s ruling had minimal impact on daily life in Uttar Pradesh. Despite the strike call, shops and businesses continued to operate normally across the state, with heightened security measures in place.
Mayawati’s remarks highlight the ongoing political debate and contention surrounding the reservation policy, underscoring the deep divisions and concerns over the future of affirmative action in India.
