Author: Dhananjay Mahapatra
Publication: The Times of India
Dated: November 11, 2008
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/CJI_Time_to_ease_creamy_layer_out_of_SCST_quota/articleshow/3697272.cms
The time has come to think about the creamy
layer among Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and their gradual exclusion
from quota benefits, said Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan, the first
dalit judge to occupy the highest post in the judiciary.
Politicians are ever so shy about touching
this taboo subject, but the CJI, who endured social discrimination and deprivation
right through his school days and into his judicial career, was candid when
asked if it was prudent to extend reservation to children of dalit IAS officials,
constitutional post holders or those successful in business.
"Caste prejudice cannot be totally wiped
out only by high income," he told TOI, probably reflecting on the ground
situation prevalent in many parts of the country. But he agreed that "it
is time to put on our thinking caps about gradual exclusion of the high income
group among SCs and STs from the purview of reservation benefits".
He was quick to clarify, having touched upon
a sensitive issue.
"Ultimately, it has to be a political
decision based on consensus," he said. Even though guarded, it is significant
coming from Justice Balakrishnan, who, probably like US president-elect Barack
Obama, fought prejudices to reach a position where none from the oppressed
classes had ever set foot.
His children could never go to a public school
and had to get their education in government schools. He seldom benefited
from reservation- there being no quota for SCs in selection of judges for
the High Courts or the Supreme Court.
