Owaisi calls for expansion of Scheduled Castes reservation coverage

Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), has pressed the government to broaden the scope of Scheduled Castes (SC) reservations, contending that the current schedule fails to adequately represent all historically disadvantaged groups.

The AIMIM leader's intervention adds to ongoing debates over affirmative action policies and the criteria used to identify eligible communities under the SC schedule. Owaisi has previously advocated for more inclusive approaches to addressing caste-based discrimination and economic disparities across the country.

The demand comes amid wider discussions within political circles regarding the efficacy and reach of India's reservation framework. Various stakeholders have periodically called for revisions to ensure that communities facing systemic marginalization receive adequate constitutional protections and access to educational and employment opportunities.

Owaisi's call reflects persistent tensions over how India's affirmative action system balances competing claims for recognition and support among disadvantaged populations, a matter that remains politically sensitive across multiple states.