The government on Monday asserted in Parliament that it is 'committed' to reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes and promised 'appropriate steps', after the Opposition raised the Supreme Court ruling in the Uttarakhand case and accused the Centre of 'failing' to defend the quota system.
Opposition members tried to corner the government in both the Houses over the Supreme Court decision that states are not bound to provide reserved seats for the SCs, STs and OBCs in appointments and promotions.
But the government made it clear that it was never a party to the case which is related to a 2012 order of the previous Congress Government in Uttarakhand, and accused the opposition party of politicising the issue.
Besides opposition members, several MPs from the ruling National Democratic Alliance also underscored their objections to the apex court's decision, prompting interventions from a number of Union ministers including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
"This is my charge that the Congress is politicising the sensitive issue," Singh, who is deputy leader of the House, said.
Making almost identical statements in both the Houses, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said the court order pertains to a 2012 decision of the then Congress government in Uttarakhand.
The Centre, he added, was neither a party to the case nor was it asked to file any affidavit, and hence it cannot be blamed for the development.
The central government is 'committed' and 'dedicated' to reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs, he said, adding that the issue is being discussed in the government at the 'highest level' and it will take 'appropriate steps' in the matter.
"Our government is dedicated and committed for the welfare of SCs, STs and other backward castes," he said.
In Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and other members demanded that a review petition be filed by the Centre.
Dissatisfied with the minister's response, opposition members in both the Houses walked out.
Earlier, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said in Rajya Sabha that the apex court's decision was 'unjust' and the reservation subject should be brought under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
It is a 'serious' issue and the entire country is concerned about it, NDA ally Lok Janshakti Party and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in the upper house.
"There is not need to worry. The Modi government will protect and will do whatever best possible to protect the interest of SCs and STs," Paswan, a Dalit leader, said.
He said the reservation issue should be brought under the Ninth Schedule of Constitution and pitched for reservation for the community in judiciary also.
As soon as the Question Hour started, Opposition members in Lok Sabha led by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury sought to raise the issue. He was also joined by members from other parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
However, Speaker Om Birla told them that the matter can be raised during the Zero Hour, saying that the Question Hour was 'important'.
When one of the members remarked that the Constitution itself was under threat, the Speaker said, the Constitution was not under threat but the dignity of the House was.
The Speaker also emphasised that he does not want to stop any member or minister from raising issues but that the Question Hour was important.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met senior ministers this morning in his Parliament House office. Though such meetings are routine during Parliament sessions, Monday's meet assumes importance in the backdrop of the court ruling.
There, however, was no official word on it.
The Supreme Court has ruled that there is no fundamental right to claim reservation in promotion for SCs, STs and OBCs in government jobs.
In the lower house, Congress leader Chowdhury and Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress) targeted the government, saying there has been an onslaught on SC and ST reservation since the Modi government came to power.
Chirag Paswan of LJP, an NDA constituent, said the government should immediately interfere in the matter and put the reservation subject in the Ninth Schedule so that no one approaches the Supreme Court on these issues.
There is a view that issues in the Ninth schedule are ring-fenced from judicial review.
He said the order of the court and the behaviour of opposition on the matter is impacting a big population of the country.
"I request the central government to strengthen the reservation system. We cannot even discuss the issue of ending reservation," Paswan said.
Kalyan Banerjee said the Constitution provides that reservation is a constitutional and fundamental right.
A Raja (DMK) said there are reasons to believe that the government is not in favour of reservation.
"I urge the central government that they should file a review petition on this and also put the subject in the ninth schedule," Raja said.
Rajiv Ranjan (Janata Dal-United) said it is a 'very sensitive' issue and the House has one view on it.
"No politics should happen on this matter," he said adding the government has taken several steps for the community.
Ritesh Pandey (Bahujan Samaj Party) allged the central government is against SC/ST and Dalits.
Anupriya Patel (Apna Dal) said, "I want to register my objection and disagreement with the Supreme Court order and this is very unfortunate also".
She said one of the reasons for such orders are low representation of SC/ST and OBCs in judiciary.
"The government should immediately intervene in the matter," she said.
E T Mohammed Basheer (Indian Union Muslim League) said the government cannot be a silent spectator on the matter.
Communist Party of India-Marxist member A M Ariff said the government should file a review petition on this.
Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party) said the government should immediately address the matter.
"We need action, We don't need only words," she added.
After the minister's statement in Rajya Sabha, Azad said it is a serious issue as it concerns about one-fourth of the country's population.
"Immediately, a cabinet meeting should be called and take a decision to file a review petition," Azad said.
Satish Chandra Misra (BSP) said, "When the matter comes before cabinet, you should also add promotion in judiciary."
Members of DMK, Telangana Rashtra Samiti and Left parties urged the government to review the matter.
When the minister rose to respond to the queries, he repeatedly said the government is considering the matter and will take appropriate step after due discussion.
Unsatisfied with the reply, the Opposition parties barring the Shiv Sena walked out of the upper house.
After they walked out, senior BJP leader Bhupinder Yadav said the reservation system is safe and that the House should work with unity.
