http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Govt-drops-move-to-divide-dalits-into-sub-groups/articleshow/8577554.cms
Govt drops move to divide dalits into sub-groups
Subodh Ghildiyal, TNN | May 26, 2011, 03.21am IST
NEW DELHI: The move to divide dalits into sub-groups seems headed for
cold storage, amid indications that the Centre is apprehensive of the
political consequences of the proposal which has polarized the
volatile community along sub-castes.
The social justice ministry has recalled its earlier proposal to amend
the Constitution to facilitate division of the SC list as per wishes
of some states. It will now seek the views of states on the entire
issue. This is set to put off the sensitive move by a few years.
The sub-categorisation of SCs was mooted as a solution to the
grievance that powerful dalit communities had cornered reservation
benefits disproportionately to their population. The division of SCs
into sub-groups, with each bloc assigned a fraction of the 15% dalit
quota, would ensure better distribution of benefits, it was argued.
Cabinet sources said the social justice ministry has proposed that the
Centre consult the states on the sensitive issue and then hold
discussions with political parties to hammer out the way forward.
This is an about-turn from the earlier proposal which said that
Article 341 of the Constitution should be amended to enable states to
seek division of the SC list in their territory. The proposal said a
state assembly could pass a resolution seeking sub-categorisation and
send it to the Centre for Parliament's assent.
A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had in 2004 struck down
sub-categorisation in Andhra Pradesh, forcing the state to ask the
Centre for a constitutional amendment to overrule the apex court
order.
For an issue which has polarized the supposedly homogenous SCs into
stronger and weaker blocs across the country, the Centre now wants to
tread carefully lest it be caught between the warring factions.
Sub-categorisation is seen to harm stronger SCs like Chamars in the
north and Malas in Andhra Pradesh because they enjoy claim over the
entire 15% quota for dalits. The sub-categorisation would limit the
bloc to a fraction of the 15% quota earmarked for them.
Dalit activists have dubbed it a ploy to pit SCs against each other
and break their consolidation under identity-based political platforms
like BSP.
The National Commission for SCs, chaired by PL Punia, has also been
strongly opposed to the move to amend the Constitution. It said,
"Instead of dividing SCs, the state government (AP) should devise
proper mechanism to empower the poorest of the poor among SCs through
special schemes aimed at their social, educational and economic
empowerment," it said.
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