Mayawati Opposes ‘Creamy Layer’ for SCs and STs in Reservation, Slams RSS Over ‘Casteist Mindset’

By Political Bureau | New Delhi Chronicle

Published: August 9, 2026 | Lucknow / New Delhi

LUCKNOW / NEW DELHI — Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday strongly rejected the application of the “creamy layer” concept to affirmative action policies for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), asserting that reservation is fundamentally anchored in social justice, self-respect, and historical emancipation rather than simple economic evaluation.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack against the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, urging the organization to respect the humanitarian spirit of the Constitution and cease politicizing the quota framework.

‘Reservation is About Equality, Not Just Economy’

Underlining that affirmative action is a deeply sensitive and pivotal matter for marginalized communities, Mayawati argued that introducing income-based exclusions (the “creamy layer”) undermines the core intent of the Constitution drafted under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s leadership.

“Reservation is essentially about giving millions of people who have been victims of the caste system for centuries… their constitutional and legal right to equality on humanitarian grounds,” Mayawati stated.

She highlighted that economic upliftment alone does not eradicate deep-seated social prejudice. Caste-based discrimination continues to impact every aspect of an individual’s life regardless of their financial progress, making economic status an inadequate metric for determining eligibility for quota benefits.

Rebuttal to RSS Stand

Mayawati’s remarks came as a direct reaction to recent comments by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who suggested that the reservation system had become deliberately politicized, causing societal bitterness, and advocated for affluent beneficiaries to voluntarily relinquish their benefits.

Terming the RSS position as reflective of a “casteist mindset,” the BSP supremo warned that such rhetoric serves narrow political interests at the cost of constitutional principles. She called on the Sangh to stop advocating for changes or interference in the existing affirmative action framework and instead work toward building an egalitarian social order.

Urges Union Government to Stand Firm in Court

Addressing the legal challenges surrounding the issue, Mayawati criticized past and present union governments for failing to present robust arguments before judicial benches regarding SC/ST reservation.

She urged the central government to use valid sociological and constitutional arguments to persuade the judiciary to keep SC and ST communities strictly outside the purview of the creamy layer. According to her, inadequate legal representation and weak government responses often prevent courts from delivering holistic justice on matters of historical social transformation.

Key Highlights at a Glance

 Core Argument: Social discrimination cannot be measured solely through economic indicators; financial stability does not erase caste bias.

 RSS Criticism: Mayawati called on the RSS to respect Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Constitution and stop politicizing affirmative action.

 Call to Action for the Centre: Demanded that the Union Government effectively argue in court against applying the creamy layer mechanism to SCs and STs.