Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) president and Uttar Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar has written to BJP National President J.P. Nadda, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, BSP chief Mayawati, Anupriya Patel, Dr. Sanjay Nishad, and Lalu Prasad Yadav, demanding the implementation of the Social Justice Committee report, constituted under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Raghvendra Singh.
In his letter, Rajbhar stated that the committee, formed in 2001, had recommended sub-categorizing the 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) so that all castes could benefit equally. However, successive governments failed to implement the report, resulting in a few OBC castes cornering the majority of reservation benefits while many others remained deprived.
He pointed out that in 2017, the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh reconstituted a committee, which also recommended dividing the 27 percent OBC quota into three categories: Most Backward Classes (7 percent), Backward Classes (9 percent), and Extremely Backward Classes (11 percent).
Rajbhar stressed that implementing this report would ensure equal distribution of reservation benefits and uphold the principle of social justice. He urged that appointments in the upcoming three-tier Panchayat elections and recruitments in government departments be carried out on this basis.
Appealing to the Congress leadership, Rajbhar sought their active support in safeguarding social justice and the rights of backward classes.
He also noted that both the High Court and Supreme Court have, from time to time, emphasized the need for sub-categorization of reservations to extend benefits to deprived and marginalized sections. He cited Haryana as an example where the state government implemented sub-categorization in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions, and pointed out that nine other states have also adopted similar measures.
Rajbhar reiterated that sub-categorizing reservations is essential for ensuring that all backward castes receive due benefits. He urged the Uttar Pradesh government to implement this policy and conduct the forthcoming Panchayat elections accordingly.