Cabinet decision on SCs evokes mixed response

The state government’s recent move to create a sub-category within the Scheduled Castes, in line with a Supreme Court order, has garnered mixed reactions across the state.

Waited for this for 18 yrs

It is a big decision. We have been struggling for this for 18 years. We welcome the move and express our gratitude to CM Saini. Dr Swadesh Kabir, state chief, deprived SC Mahapanchayat

Members of the A Block, now identifying as Deprived Scheduled Castes (DSC), have welcomed the decision. Meanwhile, those from the B Block of the Scheduled Castes have criticised it, accusing the government of acting hastily.

“It is a big decision by the Haryana Government. We have been struggling for this for 18 years. We welcome the move and express our gratitude to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini for fulfilling his commitment. We also appreciate the prompt decision taken by the state Cabinet in this regard,” said Dr Swadesh Kabir, state president of the DSC Mahapanchayat, Haryana.

Speaking to The Tribune, Kabir stressed that the move would benefit lakhs of youth from the DSC (A Block) in terms of higher education and government jobs. He also pointed out that the B Block has been receiving a disproportionately large share of the reservation benefits, leaving the A Block marginalised.

On the other hand, members of the B Block have expressed their displeasure, arguing that the government acted too quickly without first conducting a caste Census to assess the real situation on the ground.

“A proper social audit and caste Census should have been conducted to comply with the Supreme Court’s order in both letter and spirit,” said Hari Om, a representative of the SC B Block, expressing his dissatisfaction with the state government’s decision.