Uttar Pradesh likely to propose Dalit tag for 17 MBCs

LUCKNOW: In a bid to neutralise the impact of formidable caste combination of SP-BSP alliance in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP government is all set to moot a proposal to induct 17 most backward castes (MBCs) in the scheduled caste (SC) category. BJP has also promised reservation in promotion for SCs on which the two regional parties have diametrically opposite stand.

Political observers say the visible impact on Gorakhpur and Phulpur byelections after the coming together of SP and BSP has forced the ruling BJP to go to the drawing board to redo its caste arithmetic. CM Yogi Adityanath has already announced in the assembly his intention to give quota within quota to MBCs and mahadalits.

This is not the first time that such a proposal is being sent. At least three similar attempts in the past 18 years have failed. While previous governments, led by SP’s Mulayam Singh and his son Akhilesh Yadav, have sent similar proposal in the past, BSP chief Mayawati had opposed the move as CM in 2007.


A similar step was also taken by the BJP government in 2001 when the then CM Rajnath Singh had constituted the Hukum Singh committee, which had asked for separate reservations for MBCs and the mahadalits. The move was challenged in court and the report could not be implemented as it was opposed by both SP and BSP.

Now, Yogi has taken a leaf out of Rajnath’s book with the same intent, but it would take time before he announces reservation for 17 MBCs under the SC category. The17 MBCs are: Rajbhar, Nishad, Prajapati, Mallah, Kahar, Kashyap, Kumhar, Dhimar, Bind, Bhar, Kevat, Dhivar, Batham, Machua, Manjhi, Turha and Gaur.

A similar list was recommended by the Mulayam government in 2004 and by the Akhilesh Yadav government in 2016. Mayawati, however, opposed it as it would have reduced her traditional Dalit voters’ share in 22.5% quota earmarked for the SCs.

“By reigniting the move, the BJP not only wants to keep these influential MBCs in good humour, but will try to expose the dichotomy between the stance of SP and BSP on the issue. Another issue that will bring to the fore differences between SP and BSP is quota in promotion for SCs.