Source: https://selfstudyanthro.com/2020/04/01/ii-7-1-2-constitutional-safeguards-for-scheduled-tribes-and-scheduled-castes/
Timestamp: 2020-07-05 20:46:35
Document Index: 11338073

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art. 15', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 17', 'Art 17', 'Art. 330', 'Art. 335', 'Art. 338', 'Art. 339', 'Art. 340', 'Art. 46']

II.7.1.2 Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. – Self Study for Anthropology
Author Self Study for UPSC Posted on Posted on April 1, 2020
The following safeguards are prescribed in the Constitution for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes:
Art. 15(4) : Clause 4 of article 15 is the fountain head of all provisions regarding compensatory discrimination for SCs/STs.This clause started the era of reservations in India. It says thus,
“Nothing in this article or in article 29(2) shall prevent the state from making any provisions for the advancement of any socially and economically backward classes of citizens or for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.”
In the case of Balaji vs State of Mysore , the SC held that reservation cannot be more than 50%. Finally, in the case of Indra Sawhney vs Union of India , SC upheld the decision given under Balaji vs State of Mysore that reservation should not exceed 50% except only in special circumstances. It further held that it is valid to sub-categorize the reservation between backward and more backward classes. However, total should still not exceed 50%. It also held that the carry forward rule is valid as long as reservation does not exceed 50%.
Art. 15 (5) : This clause allows the state to make special provisions for backward classes or SCs or STs for admissions in private educational institutions, aided or unaided.
Art. 17: This abolishes untouchability and its practice in any form.
Although the term untouchability has not been defined in the constitution or in any act but its meaning is to be understood not in a literal sense but in the context of Indian society. Due to the varna system, some people were relegated to do menial jobs such as cleaning toilets. They were not even allowed to enter public places such as temples and shops. The constitution strives to remove this abhorring practice by not only making the provision a fundamental right but also allows punishment to whoever practices or abets it in any form. Towards this end, Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955 was enacted. It has implemented several measures to eradicate this evil from the society. It stipulates up to 6 months imprisonment or 500 Rs fine or both. In Asiad Projects Workers Case , SC has held that right under Art 17 is available against private individuals as well and it is the duty of the state to ensure that this right is not violated.
Art. 330 & 332: Allows reservation of seats for SC/ST in the parliament as well as in state
Art. 335: Allows relaxation in qualifying marks for admission in educational institutes or promotions for SCs/STs. In the case of State of MP vs Nivedita Jain, SC held that complete relaxation of qualifying marks for SCs/STs in Pre-Medical Examinations for admission to medical colleges is valid.
Art. 338,338A & 339: Establishes a National Commission of SCs and STs.
Art. 339 allow the central govt. to direct states to implement and execute plans for the betterment of SC/STs.
Art. 340: Allows the president to appoint a commission to investigate the condition of socially and economically classes and table the report in the parliament.
The safeguards provided to Scheduled Castes are grouped in the following broad heads:
Article 17, 23, 24 and 25 (2) (b) of the constitution enjoins upon the state to provide social safeguards to Scheduled Castes. Article 17 relates to abolition of untouchability being practiced in society.
The Parliament enacted the protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (prevention of Atrocities)Act, 1989 to tackle the problem of untouchability, which is being practiced against Scheduled Castes.
Article 23 prohibits traffic in human beings and ‘begar’ and other similar forms of forced labour and provides that any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law. Although there is no specific mention about the SCs in this Article but majority of the bonded labour come from SCs. Thus, this Article has a special significance for them.
The parliament enacted Bonded labour system (Abolition) Act, 1976 for identification, liberation and rehabilitation of bonded
Article 24 provides that no child below the age of 14 years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment. Even in this Article, there is no specific mention about the SCs but substantial portion of child labour engaged in hazardous employments belong to
Article 25(2)(b) provides that Hindu religious institutions of a public character shall be opened to all classes and sections of Hindus. The term Hindu includes persons professing Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist
Article 23, 24 and 46 form part of the economic safeguards for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Article 46 Provides, “The state shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
Article15 (4) Empowers the state to make special provisions for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and for SCs. This provision has enabled the state to reserve seats for SCs in educational institutions in general and professional courses
Reservation of seats for SCs /STs in the local bodies of the states/ UTs, Legislative Assemblies of the state and in Parliament are provided in the Constitution of India under-
Article 243D Reservation of seats:
Article 332 Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assemblies of the States:
Service safeguards are contained in Articles 16(4), 16(4A), and
Article l6 (4) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State ,is not adequately represented in the services under
Article l6 (4A) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes which, in the opinion of the State are not adequately represented in the services under the
Article 335 Claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes to services and posts- The claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a state.
Art. 46:– The State shall promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes, and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation,
II.4.2 DHIRENDRA NATH MAJUMDAR