Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: As the state elections approach, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to spotlight the swift action taken by the Union government in rolling back the lateral entry scheme, which had faced criticism for not including caste-based reservations. The party aims to use this move to counter concerns regarding sub-categorization within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), which have emerged as contentious issues.
The lateral entry scheme’s rollback is being positioned by the BJP as a testament to the government’s responsiveness to the demands of marginalized communities, particularly the SCs and STs. A senior BJP functionary emphasized that the Union government did not hesitate to scrap the scheme once it was clear that it did not address the concerns of these communities. The government has also assured that a more inclusive policy for filling positions in the bureaucracy will be developed.
This strategic focus comes at a critical time, as the party braces for elections in key states such as Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand. These states have significant SC and ST populations, with the 2011 Census showing Haryana with 19.35% SCs, Jharkhand with 26.2% STs, and Maharashtra with 11.81% SCs and 9.35% STs. The BJP is aware that its handling of these issues could significantly impact voter sentiment in these regions.
The sub-classification of SCs and STs, which allows for quotas within reserved categories, has become a hot-button issue. While the Supreme Court recently allowed states to make such sub-classifications, the Union government has remained silent on whether it will endorse or implement such measures. The BJP, meanwhile, has been cautious, given the varying demands across different states. For instance, there is support for sub-classification in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, but resistance in Bihar, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
In poll-bound Haryana, the state government has already accepted recommendations for creating sub-classifications within the SC community, splitting it into Deprived Scheduled Castes (DSC) and Other Scheduled Castes (OSC). The BJP is keen to avoid any electoral backlash over its stance on this issue, especially after losing SC and ST support in the 2024 general elections in states like Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP is also banking on the newly announced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to address public discontent over inflation and the lack of tax relief for the middle class. The scheme, which guarantees 50% of the last drawn salary as a pension for government employees with 25 years of service, is seen as a counter to the Opposition’s call for reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Former Rajya Sabha MP Bhalchandra Munegekar has expressed skepticism about the sub-classification of SCs and STs, questioning whether any state has proven that certain castes benefit more than others. He also suggested that reservations should be limited to two generations to avoid discrimination against subsequent generations.
As the elections draw near, the BJP’s focus will remain on highlighting larger policy decisions that have benefited SC, ST, and OBC communities. Lal Singh Ayra, head of the BJP’s SC Morcha, reiterated the party’s commitment to the empowerment of these communities, citing the recent reservation of seats for STs in Jammu and Kashmir as an example.
Despite the Opposition’s efforts to leverage caste-based issues, the BJP is confident that its track record on SC and ST welfare will resonate with voters. The party’s leaders are also prepared to counter criticism of the government’s decisions, with former minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership is guided by a deep understanding and sensitivity to the needs of the people.
