The story so far: The Bihar caste-based survey has spurred nationwide calls for a similar census and discussions about exceeding the 50% reservation limit. However, looking at Tamil Nadu’s past, a caste census alone may not lead to increased other backward class (OBC) reservations. The Second Backward Classes Commission (1982-85) in Tamil Nadu even recommended a reduction in reservation percentages. The First BC panel (1969-70), led by A.N. Sattanathan, suggested raising BC reservations, but the idea of a creamy layer hasn’t gained political backing.
How did the Second BC Commission come into being?
In January 1980, smarting from a severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha election, the then AIADMK regime, headed by M.G. Ramachandran, announced the hike in the share of reservation for BCs from 31% to 50%, taking the total quantum to 68% that included 18% for Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST). (After STs got one per cent exclusive reservation in June 1990, the overall tally went up to 69%). Once the decision became a subject matter of litigation in the Supreme Court, the State government gave an undertaking in October 1982 that it would set up a panel to review the existing enumeration and classification of BCs. Two months later, the panel was constituted with the former Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Public Services Commission, J.A. Ambasankar, as the head. The BC panel submitted its report to the government in February 1985.
