New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with a delegation of SC/ST MPs on Friday to discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling that suggested the exclusion of the creamy layer within SC/ST communities from reservation benefits. The meeting highlighted the government's commitment to the welfare and empowerment of these communities.

PM Modi shared the meeting's outcome on social media, stating, "Met a delegation of SC/ST MPs today. Reiterated our commitment and resolve for the welfare and empowerment of the SC/ST communities."

After the meeting, BJP MP Prof. (Dr.) Sikander Kumar conveyed that the Prime Minister assured the MPs that the government would take action in their favor. "A few days ago, the Supreme Court gave its decision on SC/ST reservation. A delegation comprising around 100 MPs from both Houses met PM Modi today and raised their concerns. The PM heard all MPs and assured us that the government will work in favor of the MPs," Kumar said.

Another BJP MP, Faggan Singh Kulaste, mentioned that the delegation urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the Supreme Court's decision on identifying and excluding the creamy layer from SC/ST reservation benefits should not be implemented. He added, "The PM also said that this should not be implemented."

The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling on August 1, ruled that states have the authority to sub-classify SCs and STs, with the adequacy of representation to be calculated based on effective, not just quantitative, representation. The ruling was delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, with a 6:1 majority favoring the decision to allow sub-classification within SC/ST reservations.

Justice BR Gavai, one of the judges on the bench, suggested that states develop a policy to identify the creamy layer within Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to exclude them from the benefits of affirmative action. However, Justice Bela M. Trivedi, in a dissenting opinion, disagreed with the majority judgment, arguing that sub-classification within SC/ST communities is not permissible.

This meeting and the discussions it entailed underscore the ongoing debate over the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling and the government's approach to addressing the concerns of the SC/ST communities.

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