Rajput Mahasabha backs reform in SC reservation, urges govt to act

The Rajput Mahasabha of Himachal Pradesh has come out in support of the demand for sub-categorisation within the Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations, emphasising that the time has come to ensure that the benefits of affirmative action reach the most marginalised communities in the true spirit of social justice.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, president KS Jamwal, senior vice-president Prof Ashok Sarial (former Vice-Chancellor of Agricultural University, Palampur), Major General (Retd) Dharamvir Rana, president of the Ex-Servicemen Wing, and general secretary Vijay Chandel called upon the state government to act swiftly on the matter.

The Mahasabha expressed concern over the government’s inaction despite the Supreme Court’s August 1, 2024 directive, which endorsed the idea of introducing the ‘creamy layer’ concept and sub-classification within SC reservations. The Sabha announced plans to submit a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, lending support to the Balmiki community’s demand for internal reservation reform.

“It is noteworthy,” said KS Jamwal, “that the Supreme Court, through its amendment to the SC/ST Reservation Act, has advocated the removal of the creamy layer and introduction of classification to ensure that families from the most deprived sections genuinely benefit.”

The Mahasabha pointed out that while Scheduled Castes make up nearly 25 per cent of Himachal Pradesh’s population, a significant chunk of reservation benefits over the past 75 years has remained concentrated within a few families and castes. In contrast, the Rajput community constitutes about 36 per cent of the population but does not avail of such reservations.

“There are many SC families that have never received reservation benefits, while others have availed them multiple times and are now well integrated into the mainstream. This disparity is blocking the progress of those still struggling with lack of access to education and employment,” the leaders emphasised.

The Rajput Mahasabha urged the state government to pass legislation introducing economic-based classification within the reservation framework. Such a move, they argued, would help bring truly deserving and deprived families into the social and economic mainstream, fulfilling the foundational promise of the reservation system.