The Double Engine governments of the BJP-RSS is encroaching on Dalit rights in UP — striking down of 70% reservation in SCP medical colleges cannot be allowed

Four Government Medical Colleges in the state of Uttar Pradesh, in Kannauj, Jalaun, Ambedkar Nagar and Saharanpur, that were established under the Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), have been ripped of their special status. The medical colleges had special status under SCP and TSP, giving 70% reservation to SC/ST students. Yogi Adityanath led UP State Government stood in favour of striking down the reservations in the high court, after which the High Court ordered to strip the 4 Government Medical Colleges of their special statuses, thereby revoking the special 70% reservation of seats for SC/ST students under the SCP and TSP. The move has once again exposed the anti-dalit face of the BJP-RSS nexus.

The country is witnessing severe attacks on Dalits, with Uttar Pradesh having worst experiences. Apart from physical and verbal abuse, Dalits are facing institutional attacks from the ruling class. Dalits and the marginalized students are being forced into dropouts through hostile campus environments, denial of scholarships, discrimination and by attack on special reserved institutions, eligible candidates are declared not found suitable "NFS" in jobs, and reserved posts including the SC/ST faculty posts remaining vacant.

The ruling by the Allahabad High Court is unfortunate and reflects a mechanical application of the 50 per cent ceiling limit set in the Indra Sawhney judgment. The SCP guidelines clearly mandate that for any college established using SCP/TSP funds, an SC/ST reservation of more than 50% must be implemented as a prerequisite for the utilization of those funds. Further, similar institutions operating with 70% SC/ST reservation currently exist in several states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana etc.

The Central Executive Committee of the SFI demands that the government should refrain from violating the 70% reservation while the matter is sub judice before the Honorable Supreme Court. Further, the government should protect the 70% reservation for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students in the government medical colleges under SCP and TSP, and thereby facilitate the access to medical education for Dalit and tribal students.

Released by
Adarsh M. Saji (President, SFI)
Srijan Bhattacharyya (General Secretary, SFI)