Ramdas Athawale Opposes Creamy Layer Criteria for SC/ST Reservation

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale opposes the application of creamy layer criteria to reservations for SCs and STs. Athawale supports Supreme Court's decision for sub-classification to benefit more backward castes within these groups and demands similar actions for OBCs and general categories.

Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale has voiced strong opposition against applying creamy layer criteria to reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). His comments come in the wake of a historic Supreme Court verdict on sub-classifying these communities for broader quota benefits.

Athawale, who leads the Republican Party of India (Athawale), acknowledged that the Supreme Court's endorsement of sub-classification by states will deliver justice to the more backward castes within these groups. He also called for similar sub-classifications among OBCs and general category members.

While affirming that SC/ST reservations are caste-based, Athawale emphasized that his party, a BJP-led NDA constituent, would firmly oppose introducing creamy layer criteria. He highlighted the Supreme Court decision, which allows states to further sub-classify SCs/STs to ensure quotas for the most backward castes among them. Four out of six judges majority voiced that those in the creamy layer should be excluded from reservation benefits.

(With inputs from agencies.)