SC order on SC/ST quota creates political uproar; Govt says will take 'appropriate steps'

A huge row broke out both inside and outside parliament on Monday over the Supreme Court ruling on reservation in jobs for the SC/ST with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that it was "in the DNA of the BJP and the RSS" to try and erase the quota system, while the government said "appropriate steps" will be taken in the matter that was being discussed at the "highest level".

The political storm was caused after the apex court recently ruled that the states are not bound to provide reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in appointments and there is no fundamental right to claim quota in promotions.

Under attack over the issue, the government accused the Congress of "politicising the sensitive issue" while the LJP, an NDA constituent, said the Centre should immediately interfere in the matter and put the subject of quota in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution so that no one moves the apex court on these issues.

Amidst the opposition attack, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot during his statement in both the Houses of Parliament made it clear that the Centre was not asked to file an affidavit in the matter, and said the issue is being discussed in the government at the "highest level" and it will take "appropriate steps" in the matter.

Using the SC order to attack the Modi government, Gandhi alleged that it was "in the DNA of the BJP and the RSS to try to erase reservations" and that a "big conspiracy" was underway to take away the rights of deprived sections.

Gandhi also told reporters outside Parliament that the Congress will not allow reservation to be done away with,"no matter how much (Prime Minister) Modi Ji or (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat dream of it."
Asserting that the court order and the behaviour of the Opposition over the matter is impacting a big population in the country, Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan said,I request the central government to strengthen the reservation system. We cannot even discuss the issue of ending reservation."