Opposition parties including the Congress appeared to be a divided lot over the Supreme Court’s judgment on the EWS quota on Monday. Several leaders of the opposition parties like the Congress and TMC did not take a uniform stand for or against the judgment.
While some of them welcomed the SC verdict, others called it a "setback to the struggle for social justice” and alleged the apex judiciary had an “upper class mindset”.
Hailing the top court's verdict, Congress chief spokesperson Jairam Ramesh credited UPA governments led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for initiating the process that led to the 103rd Constitution amendment.
"The Amendment itself was the result of a process initiated by Dr Manmohan Singh's government in 2005-06 with the appointment of the Sinho Commission that submitted its report in July 2010. Thereafter, widespread consultations were held and the Bill was ready by 2014," said Ramesh in a statement.
“It took the Modi Sarkar five years to get the Bill enacted. It also bears mention here that the Socio Economic and Caste Census was completed by 2012, when I myself was the Union Rural Development Minister.
The Modi Sarkar has yet to clarify its position on an updated Caste Census, something that the Congress party supports and demands," he added.
However, Congress leader Udit Raj called the Supreme Court verdict a result of "upper caste mindset".
"I am not against EWS reservation but is pained to observe the upper caste mindset of Supreme Court that it took total U turn today what it had been holding ever since Indira Sahani judgement.
Whenever SC/ST/OBC reservation matters came , SC always reminded the limit of 50per cent," Raj said in a tweet message. Congress's ally and the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, DMK, too held a different view. DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the verdict in the reservation case for economically backward classes is a "setback in the century-long struggle for social justice". "I urge all like-minded organisations to unite to uplift the call for social justice in the entire nation," Stalin said.
TMC MP Saugata Roy hailed the verdict and called it “historic”. "This is a historic judgment. This is a big step towards achieving economic equality in the country," said Roy.
However, TMC chief spokesperson Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said, "The apex court has given a verdict and we have nothing to say on it as of now.”
Another major opposition alliance partner party RJD remarked the SC verdict is a split one and such judgments historically are subjected to interventions. “RJD alongwith DMK have been pressing for scientific data on caste census and we have taken up related matters in the Parliament as well. We will keep on fighting for social justice,” RJD spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha said.