The Supreme Court of India has made a significant ruling regarding the Scheduled Castes List. This decision clarifies that states are not permitted to alter the list, a power that lies exclusively with the Parliament under Article 341 of the Constitution.
This ruling originated from a challenge posed by the Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Vichar Manch, Patna. They contested a notification issued by the Bihar government in 2015. This notification intended to merge the Extremely Backward Class (EBC) of Tanti-Tantwa with the Scheduled Caste of Pan/Sawasi.
The Supreme Court deemed the actions of the Bihar government illegal, asserting that the state lacks the authority to initiate such changes. It emphasized that any adjustments to the castes, races, or tribes within the Scheduled Castes must be executed by Parliament. This reinforces that the State Backward Classes Commission does not possess jurisdiction to recommend alterations to the Scheduled Castes List.
This ruling is crucial as it reaffirms the constitutional provision that only Parliament can modify the Scheduled Castes List. It ensures a consistent and legal approach to any modifications, preventing arbitrary changes by individual states. States that deem changes necessary must follow the procedures outlined in Article 341 and make recommendations to Parliament.
The decision plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the Scheduled Castes designation across India. By limiting the power of state governments in this regard, the ruling safeguards against unilateral alterations, ensuring that modifications to the list are made through a structured and constitutional mechanism.
Q1. What was the Supreme Court's ruling on the Scheduled Castes List?
Answer: The Supreme Court ruled that only Parliament can modify the Scheduled Castes List, preventing states from making unilateral changes.
Q2. Why was the Bihar government's notification challenged?
Answer: The notification sought to merge specific backward classes with the Scheduled Caste, which was contested as an illegal alteration of the Scheduled Castes List.
Q3. What does Article 341 of the Constitution state?
Answer: Article 341 specifies that the inclusion or exclusion of castes in the Scheduled Castes List is solely under the jurisdiction of Parliament.
Q4. What is the role of the State Backward Classes Commission in this context?
Answer: The Court clarified that the State Backward Classes Commission does not have the authority to recommend changes to the Scheduled Castes List.
Q5. How does this ruling affect the integrity of the Scheduled Castes List?
Answer: The ruling preserves the integrity of the Scheduled Castes designation by ensuring that any changes are legally sanctioned and not made arbitrarily by states.
Question 1: What is the primary authority for altering the Scheduled Castes List?
A) State Governments
B) Supreme Court
C) Parliament
D) Backward Classes Commission
Correct Answer: C
Question 2: Which Article of the Constitution pertains to the Scheduled Castes List?
A) Article 341
B) Article 356
C) Article 370
D) Article 15
Correct Answer: A
Question 3: Who challenged the Bihar government's 2015 notification?
A) State Government
B) Supreme Court
C) Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Vichar Manch
D) Backward Classes Commission
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: What was the intent of the Bihar government's notification?
A) To create a new caste
B) To merge EBC with Scheduled Caste
C) To exclude certain castes
D) To define caste categories
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What does the ruling prevent regarding the Scheduled Castes List?
A) Parliamentary changes
B) State alterations
C) Judicial reviews
D) Public consultations
Correct Answer: B
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