Other Backward Classes categorisation is a Pandora’s Box

The Union government has decided to set up a Commission to undertake sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBC). The announcement has come as a rather late response to several demands from various castes from time to time for inclusion in the list of OBCs and pressures to trim the list for better distribution of the benefits.

The terms of reference to the Commission include examination of the degree of“inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation” among the OBCs; devising a mechanism, criteria, and parameters for sub-categorisation of OBC;and revision of the Central list of OBCs. On the face of it, it is a tricky job by anybody’s assessment.The exercise is likely to open another Pandora’s Box releasing more and more answerless questions, clueless complications, and fresh demands.

Three categories of OBCs have been suggested by the National Commission for Backward Classes – Other Backward Class,Most Backward Class, and Extremely Backward Class. It confirms that in official thinking, no exit door is contemplated for any caste as a group in the OBC list,but only special doors to be opened for sections within a BC like VIP entrances in temples. Degrees of backwardness will be the criterion for sub-categorisation.

BJP President says that,“The sub-categorisation will ensure that priority can be given to communities among the OBCs which because of their economic backwardness are in greater need of reservation and other benefits.” A community once homogeneous by social and educational status may also develop verticallayersas a consequence of uneven utilisation of the benefits of government policy due to personal and circumstantial causes.

This necessitates removal ofthe “creamy layer” within the OBC.Our problem today is to reach all and uplift the entire society. Any special assistance is intended to help the weaker sections in competitive situations. Look back. The OBC itself was born as a sub-category of the preponderant numerical majority of the political category “Non-Brahmin”in the old Madras Presidency in the 1930s and formed the Backward Classes League in 1933.

Pleading that only forward Non-Brahmin castes were benefiting under the category “Non-Brahmin” recognised in the Communal GO of 1922 governing appointments in State services, it demanded separate turns for the backward.As a result of persistent efforts,it succeeded in getting official recognition for job reservation in 1947 as a gift of Independence.

A list of Backward Classes, then equated with castes, wasalso drawn up and published in the gazette. Another list of Most Backward Classes among the BC was approved by the Government ofMadras in 1957 for the purpose of granting educational concessions.

In 1989, the Government of Tamil Nadu, forced by violent protests, recognisedMost Backward Classes for separate reservation in State services and prepared a list of MBCs. Exclusive 20% reservation was provided for them. There are presently about 40 castes listed as MBCs in Tamil Nadu.

The practice of sub-categorisation of OBC has been in vogue in many States in different forms. Such classification made in Karnataka in 1955 was upheld by the Supreme Court also.Presently, in West Bengal, there are two categories – Backward and More Backward. Haryana recognises three categories as Backward, Backward Classes A, and Backward Classes B besides Scheduled Castes.

Haryana government even tried to carve out a new category labeled BC (C) made up of five communities including Jats by a legislation unanimously passed by the Assembly in 2016. It was stayed by the High Court. It is true that reservation in jobs and educational institutions has not brought intended benefits to all eligible communities, but has produced inequalities among the backward classes.

Reservation Policy has allowed cornering of chances by the forward among the backward which has brought about this dire need for sub-categorisation. Politically, the move will have the effect of ending or weakening domination of top layers of the OBC to the exclusion of those down below – an effect that will produce immense political impact in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The present tendency to cling to the idea that “once backward is always backward” will get a break.However, the concept of sub-categorisation logically cannot be restricted to the OBC, nor the application of economic standard stop with the “creamy layer” of the OBC.

Under the Reservation Policy, only SC, ST, and categories of OBC are listed and not others. They are supposedtobe “forward” or in official parlance “non-backward.” Considered realistically, this group is also not homogeneous in social, educational, or economic standard.

Whendrastic sub-categorisationis in process, the backward among the technically non-backward may also legitimately expect some relief. There is no end to compartmental thinking. It is time to make a wholesale change and give up divisive policies. Our mindset has to change.

By Dr S Saraswathi