Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati Back Bharat Bandh Against Supreme Court's SC/ST Sub-Classification Ruling

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati voiced support for the Bharat Bandh protesting the Supreme Court's sub-classification within SC/ST reservation ruling. The leaders emphasized the necessity of public movements to safeguard constitutional rights against governmental malpractices.

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday extended his support to the 'Bharat Bandh,' which was called in protest against the Supreme Court's ruling that allows sub-classification within reservation categories for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Yadav highlighted that the movement aims to protect reservations, instilling a new consciousness among the exploited and deprived.

'The mass movement to protect reservations is a positive effort. It will instill new consciousness among the exploited and deprived and will prove to be a shield of people's power against any kind of tampering with reservation. Peaceful movement is a democratic right,' Yadav stated in a post on social media platform X. He added that public action would be necessary if the government attempts to undermine the Constitution and the rights of people through fraudulent activities.

'Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar had already warned that the Constitution will only work if the intentions of those implementing it are correct. When the governments in power tamper with the Constitution and the rights given by it through fraud, scams, and scandals, the public will have to take to the streets. Public movements put a check on unbridled government,' Yadav explained. The Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti also observed a day-long Bharat Bandh to protest the Supreme Court's recent decision on reservations.

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati also aligned with the Bharat Bandh called against the SC ruling. She expressed that the SC's decision has caused anger and resentment among the affected groups. 'BSP supports Bharat Bandh because there is anger and resentment against the Supreme Court's decision regarding the sub-classification of SC/ST and creamy layer on August 1, 2024, due to the conspiracy against reservation by parties like BJP and Congress,' Mayawati stated on X.

The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling on August 1, decided that states have the authority to sub-classify SCs and STs. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, ruled by a 6:1 majority that sub-classification within SC/ST reservation is permissible, overturning the earlier EV Chinnaiah judgment, which held that SC/STs form homogeneous classes. Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma were also part of the bench. Justice BR Gavai suggested creating a policy to identify the creamy layer within SC/ST groups to exclude them from benefits, while Justice Bela M Trivedi dissented, disagreeing with the majority ruling.

(With inputs from agencies.)