Prakash Ambedkar Challenges Apex Court's Verdict on SC/ST Sub-Classification

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar and Vidvat Sabha have filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court's recent verdict on the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Ambedkar argues that the court has overstepped its jurisdiction and disregarded constitutional provisions and SC/ST commission recommendations.

Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar on Monday announced that his organization has filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court's decision supporting the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that states have the authority to create sub-classifications of SCs and STs for allocating quotas within the reserved category to aid more underprivileged castes. The majority verdict was delivered by a seven-judge bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, which deemed this sub-classification permissible for ensuring the upliftment of backward classes.

Discussing the petition with PTI, Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution, expressed concerns that the court may not have adequately considered constitutional provisions and the SC/ST commission's recommendations. He argued that defining principles of inclusion and exclusion falls under Parliament's jurisdiction, not the judiciary's, suggesting that the judgment may have overreached its bounds.

(With inputs from agencies.)