Facing pressure from within the BJP and its key allies JD(U) and TDP, the Centre took a step back on the ‘creamy layer’ issue. It clarified that it will not implement the court’s proposal of carving out the creamy layer within SC/ST reservations.However, the Modi government is yet to spell out its stand on the state governments’ power to sub-classify SC/STs, as its key allies are divided over it. The sub-categorisation is also expected to dominate the political landscape in the upcoming elections in Haryana, which has 20 per cent Dalit population. While Dalit groups oppose sub-classification, the BJP government in Haryana has approved the state commission’s recommendations for sub-classification of SCs. The BJP is in a quandary, as other poll-bound states, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, also have sizeable Dalit and tribal population.
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