SC's latest ruling breaks ground on SC/ST sub-classification, overturning previous verdict
By Team Asianet Newsable | First Published Aug 1, 2024, 11:10 AM ISTThe seven-judge constitution bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M. Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma, delivered a 6:1 majority decision.
The Supreme Court on Thursday (August 1) declared that sub-classification within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is permissible. This judgment overturns the 2004 verdict in EV Chinnaiah vs State of Andhra Pradesh, where a five-judge bench had previously ruled against sub-classification, asserting that SC/ST communities should be treated as homogenous groups.
The seven-judge constitution bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices BR Gavai, Vikram Nath, Bela M. Trivedi, Pankaj Mithal, Manoj Misra, and Satish Chandra Sharma, delivered a 6:1 majority decision. The court ruled that states can implement sub-classifications within SCs and STs to allocate quotas to the most backward segments within these groups.
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The Supreme Court's decision came as part of its review of the constitutional validity of Section 4(5) of the Punjab Act. The core issue was whether sub-classifications within SC/ST communities were permissible or whether these groups should be viewed as uniform entities.
During the hearings, the Court evaluated whether children from more advantaged sub-groups within SC/ST communities should continue to benefit from reservations. The Justices considered the concept of homogeneity within these categories, particularly in light of the disparities where economically better-off segments within SC/ST communities have disproportionately benefitted from reservations, leaving the most disadvantaged members marginalized.
The Union government expressed support for the sub-classifications, stressing the need to provide additional reservation benefits to the most underprivileged members of these communities. The majority verdict stressed that states must justify sub-classifications with "quantifiable and demonstrable data" rather than acting on arbitrary decisions.
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Chief Justice Chandrachud, who wrote the main judgment, was supported by Justice Misra, while Justice Trivedi dissented. Four other judges issued concurring judgments, reflecting a complex legal and social landscape surrounding reservation policies.
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