Daily Current Affairs : 17-July-2024

In a full-size ruling, the Supreme Court of India said that state governments do no longer have the authority to regulate the listing of Scheduled Castes (SC) below Article 341 of the Indian Constitution. The Court quashed a notification by using the Bihar authorities that had categorized the Tanti-Tantwa network as SC, arguing that handiest Parliament can amend the SC listing through legislation. This ruling has critical implications for how Scheduled Castes are identified and treated in India.

The Bihar Notification and Court’s Decision

In 2015, the Bihar government issued a notification that placed the Tanti-Tantwa community below the Scheduled Castes category. However, the Supreme Court located the notification to be “mala fide,” meaning it was issued with improper intentions. The Court dominated that such changes cannot be made with the aid of man or woman state governments and should be accomplished with the aid of Parliament via proper legislative methods.

  • Parliament’s Authority: The Court emphasised that most effective Parliament has the power to amend the listing of Scheduled Castes.
  • Quashing the Notification: The notification issued by the Bihar authorities was quashed, and the Tanti-Tantwa network changed into moved again to the class of Extremely Backward Classes (EBC).

The Role of Article 341

Article 341 of the Indian Constitution is imperative to the difficulty. It offers the President the energy to specify which castes, races, or tribes are taken into consideration Scheduled Castes (SC) for each state and union territory. However, this designation is made after consulting the Governor of the involved nation.

Key Points About Article 341:
  • Power to List SCs: The President can become aware of SCs after consulting the country Governor.
  • Legislative Power: Only Parliament can amend the SC listing, either adding or removing groups.
  • Purpose of the SC List: The SC list is meant to offer unique privileges and blessings, along with reserved seats and monetary help, to help those groups gain social and educational development.

Important Points:

  • Supreme Court Ruling: States cannot modify the Scheduled Castes (SC) list; only Parliament has the authority to amend it.
  • Bihar Notification: The Bihar government’s 2015 notification that categorized the Tanti-Tantwa community as SC was quashed by the Court.
  • Court’s Decision: The notification was deemed “mala fide” and improper, as such changes can only be made by Parliament through legislation.
  • Article 341: This Article empowers the President to specify SCs for different states after consulting the state Governor.
  • Legislative Authority: Only Parliament can amend the SC list, either by adding or removing communities.
  • Purpose of SC List: The SC list is meant to provide special benefits, such as reservations and financial support, to promote the social and educational advancement of these communities.
  • Preventing Arbitrary Decisions: The ruling ensures that changes to the SC list are done through a legal and transparent process, preventing arbitrary decisions by state governments.

Why In News

The Supreme Court ruled that states do not have the authority to modify the Scheduled Caste (SC) list published under Article 341 of the Constitution, emphasizing that only Parliament can make changes to the list through proper legislative procedures. This ruling ensures that the process of recognizing SCs remains consistent and centralized, preventing individual states from making arbitrary changes.

MCQs about Article 341 of the Constitution

  1. Who has the authority to modify the Scheduled Castes (SC) list under the Indian Constitution?
    A. The President
    B. The Supreme Court
    C. The State Governments
    D. The Parliament
    Correct Answer: D. The Parliament
    Explanation: The Supreme Court ruled that only Parliament has the authority to amend the SC list, not individual state governments. Any changes to the SC list must be made through legislation by Parliament.
  2. What was the Bihar government’s 2015 notification regarding the Tanti-Tantwa community?
    A. It added them to the list of Scheduled Tribes.
    B. It classified them as an Extremely Backward Class (EBC).
    C. It categorized them as Scheduled Castes (SC).
    D. It removed them from the SC list.
    Correct Answer: C. It categorized them as Scheduled Castes (SC).
    Explanation: In 2015, the Bihar government issued a notification placing the Tanti-Tantwa community in the SC category. However, the Supreme Court quashed this decision, ruling that only Parliament can make changes to the SC list.
  3. What does Article 341 of the Indian Constitution deal with?
    A. The powers of the state governments to amend the Constitution.
    B. The power of the President to specify Scheduled Castes (SC) for states and union territories.
    C. The rights of the people to vote in elections.
    D. The power of Parliament to appoint judges.
    Correct Answer: B. The power of the President to specify Scheduled Castes (SC) for states and union territories.
    Explanation: Article 341 grants the President the authority to specify which castes, races, or tribes are designated as Scheduled Castes in each state or union territory after consulting the Governor of the concerned state.
  4. Why did the Supreme Court quash the Bihar government’s notification about the Tanti-Tantwa community?
    A. It was based on incorrect data.
    B. It was found to be issued with improper intentions and was “mala fide.”
    C. It did not follow the proper consultation process.
    D. It violated the rights of other castes.
    Correct Answer: B. It was found to be issued with improper intentions and was “mala fide.”
    Explanation: The Supreme Court described the Bihar government’s 2015 notification as “mala fide” and quashed it. The Court ruled that such changes to the SC list should be made by Parliament, not state governments, ensuring the process remains transparent and lawful.

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