Most Oppressed Need to Be Empowered

Ambedkar envisioned reservation as a means to address social backwardness faced by SCs and STs: Panel chief

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Several states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana, have recently sub-classified Scheduled Caste (SC) categories to give targeted benefits to historically marginalized SC sub-groups. The move follows last year's Supreme Court ruling on sub-classification of SCs and STs, which ignited a widespread debate on its political and social consequences. In an exclusive interview with Preetha Nair, Kishor Makwana, Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), shares his views on various SC community issues.

Excerpts:

The Telangana government recently conducted a caste survey and divided the SCs into three groups to ensure the effective distribution of welfare benefits, government schemes, and reservations. Do you support it?

Telangana has followed the SC verdict on sub-classification and has done its bit. However, I believe it is essential that the last person, the most oppressed among Dalits, be prioritized and empowered.

Several states, such as Haryana and Andhra Pradesh, are also going ahead with sub-classification. However, NCSC opposed the idea in the past. Can the states implement it, given the legal hurdles?