LoP in Rajya Sabha and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge speaks in the House
Credit: PTI Photo
New delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the idea of introducing 'creamy layer' in the quota regime for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is “condemnable”.
The top Opposition leader also insisted that the government should have brought a legislation in Parliament to nullify the Supreme Court judgement that referred to the introduction of creamy layer, though the observation did not make into the operative part of the verdict.
The remarks came a day after the Union Cabinet asserted that there was no provision for a creamy layer in the reservation for SCs and STs in the Constitution given by B R Ambedkar.
"Who do you want to benefit by bringing a creamy layer? By bringing a creamy layer (concept) on one hand you are denying untouchables and giving to those who have enjoyed privileges for thousands of years. I condemn this…Reservation should stay till the time untouchability is practised in this country and we will fight for it," he told reporters.
"I read that the PM said we will not touch this. To ensure that creamy layer (concept) will not be implemented, they should have brought a Bill in Parliament and nullified the Supreme Court judgement," he said.
Alleging that the BJP is seeking to end reservation, he said the Modi dispensation has privatised the public sector jobs and has not filled a lot of vacancies.
"The SCs and STs are not able to get jobs. No SCs are at the high-level positions. They are trying to suppress the SCs and STs by classifying them in a creamy layer. I found the court's decision surprising. Those who are facing untouchability in real life and those people belonging to SCs and STs even on high posts are facing discrimination. If they have money even then they face discrimination," Kharge said.
Referring to a recent meeting of leaders to discuss sub-categorisation of SCs as ordered by the apex court, he said the Congress is discussing other things related to sub-categorisation and will decide on further steps after discussion with intellectuals and leaders of various states,
"We will do everything possible for the protection of SCs and STs," he added.