Chirag Paswan says his party will appeal Supreme Council's verdict on Dalit community

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday opposed the Supreme Court verdict allowing states to create sub-groups within scheduled castes to get a share of the 15 per cent quota and announced his Ram Vilas ) will appeal against this.

Addressing a press conference here, Paswan said he was in favor of a caste census, which Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi had strongly demanded, but he also believed the results “should not be made public”.

“Our party will file an appeal asking the Supreme Court to review its recent judgment that allowed panels up to 15 per SC quota,” he said.

“There will be no creamy layer allowed in SC quota. Allowing sub-groups within SC quota will not serve the purpose of uplifting the marginalized sections of society as they have been the victims of untouchability.

The Hajipur MP, whose late father Ram Vilas Paswan was one of the country's top Dalit leaders, expressed concern that “the word untouchable was not even mentioned in the Supreme Court judgment” surprise.

“Most scheduled caste people, even those who come from wealthy families and have access to education, face untouchability. Therefore, allowing sub-groups within SC is unjustified,” he said.

Paswan, however, refused to comment on the stand taken by his alliance partner JD(U) on the issue, with the latter hailing the verdict as a “vindication” of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's policies, which Tish Kumar created the 'Mahadalit' category in the state many years ago.

He was also asked about the recent caste census demand that rocked Parliament.

“I think we should conduct a caste census. But the results of the same must not be made public. The government should use the collated data to formulate policies.

(This article has not been edited by News18 staff and is published by PTI)