Modi drives caste sentiment up

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, January 7

Executing a deft political move on the eve of the 2019 Lok Sabha poll, the Narendra Modi government today cleared a Bill to amend the Constitution allowing 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections among those who are not covered under any of the existing reservation categories in government jobs and educational institutions.

The draft Bill in this regard received approval of the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi. The ruling coalition enjoys majority in the House and by moving the Bill on the last working day of winter session, it makes a political statement.

The Bill is expected to be  introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot and the BJP hopes his status as a member of Scheduled Caste would assuage the  “swarn jatis (upper castes)” whose wrath is understood to have resulted in the downslide of the BJP in the recent Assembly elections in the Hindi belt, especially in Madhya Pradesh. It also takes forward the long-pending demand of the RSS that insists on reservation based on economic criterion.

The proposed quota will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation enjoyed by the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes, taking the total quota to 60 per cent. It is not clear how the Supreme Court bar of 50 per cent ceiling is to be addressed.

The Bill is needed as the Constitution does not provide for reservation on the basis of economic condition. It envisages amendment to Articles 5 and 6 of the Constitution.

Giving details as to how the economically weaker sections will be defined in the Bill, a senior government functionary said those with “annual family income below Rs 8 lakh” and “agriculture landholding below 5 hectare” will be eligible for this quota.

Other criteria include residential plot below 100 sq yds in notified municipality and 200 sq yds in non-notified municipal area, they said, adding that the residential house should be below 1,000 sq ft.

With this move, the BJP hopes to woo back its core voters and also throw off guard the lead Opposition Congress, which has been trying to corner the party-led government at the Centre by raising issues such as the Rafale deal. BJP leaders say they are “waiting to see how the grand old party reacts to the Bill in the House tomorrow”. Any move to thwart it will only work in favour of the BJP like the triple talaq legislation, they say.

The provision would apply to all upper castes, including Brahmins, Rajputs, Banias and Jats who were not covered under the OBC category for reservation, a senior party leader said. On whether the Muslims would be covered by the legislation, the leader said it would be “caste agnostic”.

Explaining the idea behind the move, the leader said, “Affirmative action for such classes has been denied till now. If the Congress or any other party opposes it, they will actually be doing us a favour.”

On whether the Supreme Court’s upper limit of 50 per cent on reservations can apply to the Bill, he said it (apex court) “cannot fetter Parliament”.

While the Opposition may dismiss it as an election gimmick, the government believes the move covering around 60 per cent of upper castes, will actually help those in need of such a provision.

Coming weeks before the country goes into the election mode, the move is being seen as a factor that could tip the scales in favour of the BJP.

Quotes

A poll gimmick, says Singhvi

Why did you (Modi govt) not think of this for four years and eight months? So obviously thought of as poll gimmick three months before the model code. You can’t exceed 50% maxima so it is done to posture that you tried. Abhishek Singhvi, cong spokesperson

A masterstroke: union minister

The issue of reservation caused a lot of conflict between Dalits and Savarnas. My demand has always been for 25 per cent reservation for the upper caste poor, 10 per cent is a good initiative. It is a masterstroke and Modi is a strong batsman. 

Ramdas Athawale, union minister and Dalit leader

CPM itself wanted it: Kerala CM

The Centre has taken the decision keeping in mind the Lok Sabha elections… The CPM earlier itself wanted reservation for the economically weaker people among higher castes. Pinarayi Vijayan, kerala cm

BJP opposed it during UPA: Jat mahasabha

The BJP had opposed it when the UPA tried to reserve seats for Jats. Majority of Jats in Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan are small farmers. While we support move, I hope there is political will to see it through. Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon, punjab chief of all india jat mahasabha

The government had given quota to us (Jats) too in Haryana, but what happened to that? This announcement cannot sustain judicial scrutiny unless the Constitution is amended — Yash Pal Malik, president of All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti

The Congress always favoured it. But I am afraid this might turn out to be another ‘jumlebaazi’ by Modi. The move will have no impact whatsoever on the Congress’ poll prospects. — Raj Babbar, UPCC chief

I wonder how they are going to implement this proposed quota unless they bring in the necessary constitutional amendment. It is, of course, an electoral stunt, another example of ‘jumlebaazi’ (rhetoric) — Upendra Kushwaha, RLSP chief 

If 10 per cent reservation is implemented in a short time constitutionally, the PAAS  will welcome the decision. But if the decision is to offer a lollipop to agitated caste groups, then this will be unacceptable. — Hardik Patel, Patidar leader

The government should extend Parliament session and bring constitutional amendment immediately. Else it is merely an election stunt (sic). — Arvind Kejriwal, AAP convener on twitter