Overview
- Speaking at Mumbai University on Ambedkar’s death anniversary, B R Gavai reiterated his view that the creamy layer principle should extend to Scheduled Caste reservations.
- Gavai cited the Indra Sawhney ruling that created the doctrine and said he has authored a judgment applying the principle to Scheduled Castes.
- He said he faced criticism from members of his own community, including claims he benefited from reservation, which he countered by noting there is no reservation for High Court or Supreme Court judges.
- Invoking Ambedkar’s “bicycle” analogy, he argued affirmative action is a temporary aid and questioned treating the child of a top official the same as a labourer’s child for benefits.
- He acknowledged reservation’s positive impact over 75 years, pointing to senior posts attained by Scheduled Caste individuals, and saluted Maharashtra reformers Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule.