Haryana Implements Sub-Quotas for Dalit Community: A Landmark Move
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| State | Haryana |
| Decision | Subclassification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) into two groups: "Deprived SCs" (DSC) and "Other SCs" (OSC) |
| Effective Date | Implemented post-election period |
| Supreme Court Ruling | August 2023 verdict allowing states to subclassify SCs and STs for reservations |
| Quota Allocation | 50% of the 20% SC quota in government jobs reserved for DSCs and OSCs |
| DSC Castes | 36 castes, including Balmikis and Dhanaks |
| OSC Castes | Includes Chamars and Jatavs |
| Objective | Address underrepresentation of DSCs in government employment |
| Historical Context | 2020 legislation reserved 50% of SC quota in higher education for DSCs |
| Previous Legal Barrier | 2004 Chinnaiah case prevented subclassifications |
| Political Context | BJP's strategy to secure SC votes; Congress criticizes the move as divisive |
| Implementation | State notification to be issued for SC quota division |
| Future Implications | Likely to influence other states like Maharashtra to consider similar reforms |