In a 6:1 decision, with Justice Bela Trivedi dissenting, a seven judge bench of the Supreme Court held that states are empowered to make sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to grant separate quotas for more backward groups within these categories. The bench was led by Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud.
The majority overruled the 2004 judgement in EV Chinniah judgment, which held that sub-classification is not permissible since SC, ST form homogenous classes and the same could not be further subdivided.
What CJI DY Chandrachud said
In his judgment, CJI DY Chandrachud referred to historical evidence that suggest that SCs are not a homogeneous class.
He said, “The members of SC/ST are often unable to climb up the ladder because of the stigma of incompetence held against candidates who are selected through reservations. The stereotype operates against because they are externalised as[…]quota candidates.”
He added that Article 14 of the Constitution permits sub-classification of a class which was not similarly situated for the purpose of the law.”
Significance of the judgement
Here are three reasons why the ruling is important:
Context of the judgement
The court said that the basis of sub-classification in SC, ST for quota has to be justified by quantifiable, demonstrable data by states.
The judgment came in a case concerning the validity of the Punjab Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes (Reservation in Services) Act, 2006. That act involved the sub-classification of reserved category communities. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court struck it down on the basis of the EV Chinniah judgment.
This in turn led to an appeal by the Punjab government before the top court.
With inputs from PTI
Link to article –
SC says states can make sub-classifications in SC, ST for quotas | Here’s why it’s important
