Introduction :
The term “backward classes” has not been defined properly either by the social scientists or by the constitution-makers. The backward classes are a large mixed category of persons with boundaries that are both unclear and elastic. They seem to comprise roughly one-third of the total population of the country. They consist of three main categories– the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the “Other Backward Classes.” The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are comparatively better defined and they form roughly 22% of the total population according to the 1971 Census. The “Other Backward classes” is a residual category. Their position is highly ambiguous it is not possible to given an exact statement of their numbers.
Definition of Backward classes
Though the term “Backward Classes” is popularly used by social scientists it is not defined properly. Still for our purpose of study we may define it in the following way:
- 1. Justice K. Subba Rao, former Chief Justice of India, defined “backward classes” as “an ascertainable and identifiable group of persons based on caste, religion, race, language, occupation and such others, with definite characteristic of backwardness in various aspects of human existence-social, cultural, economic, political and such others.”
- 2. Generally the word “backward classes” is defined as those social groups or classes or castes which are characterised by low literacy and lack of education, poverty, exploitation of labour, non-representation in services and untouchability.
- 3. In simple words, the term “backward classes” can be defined as a social category which consists of all the socially, educationally, economically and politically backward groups, castes and tribes.
Description of the Backward classes
The Backward Classes Commission in its Report [1956] submitted by Kaka Kalelkar described the Backward Classes consisting of the following groups:
- Those who suffer from the stigma of untouchability or near untouchability. These groups are classified as Scheduled Castes[SC]
- Those tribes who are not yet sufficiently assimilated into the mainstream of the national life. These groups are classified as Scheduled Tribes [ST].
- Those tribes who, due to long neglect, have been forced to commit crime. These tribes were previously known as criminal tribes [before 1953] and are presently called Denotified Tribes or Ex-Criminal Tribes.
- “Other Backward Classes” [OBCs] consist of the following groups or communities:
- (a) Those nomads who have no occupation of a fixed habitation and are given to mimicry begging, jugglery, dancing, etc.
- (b) Communities consisting largely of agricultural or landless labourers,
- (c) Communities consisting largely of tenants without occupancy rights those with insecure land tenure,
- (d) Communities consisting of a large percentage of small land owners with uneconomic holdings,
(e) Communities engaged in cattle breeding, sheep breeding or fishing on small scale, - (f)Artisan and occupational classes without security of employment and whose traditional occupations have ceased to be remunerative,
- (g) Communities, the majority of whose people do not have sufficient education and therefore have not secured adequate representation in Government services.
- (h) Social groups from among Muslims, Christians and Sikhs who are still backward socially and educationally and educationally, and
- (i) Communities not occupying positions in social hierarchy
Of the four major groups that constitute the “backward classes”, the third category of group [denotified tribes] is normally included in the 2nd category of STs. Hence, for all practical purposes, the “backward classes” normally consist of the following three major category of groups: (i) SCs, (ii) STs, and (iii) OBCs.
About the SCs and STs, we have already dealt with them separately. The third category of OBCs may thus be analysed here.
Indian Constitution Concept of OBCs
The third major category of “backward classes” consists of a large number of educationally and economically backward people. Though the term “backward classes” has not been defined by the Indian Constitution the characteristic of backwardness is described here and three and also sometimes the categories are mentioned.
- Article 15(4) speaks of the socially and educationally backward class.
- Article 16(4) uses the term “backward class” and speaks of inadequate representation in services.
- Article 45 mentions free and compulsory education.
- Article 46 mentions the weaker sections of the people and includes the expression “the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.”
- Article 340 empowers the State to investigate the condition of the Backward Classes and to help them by grants, etc.
Thus, the Constitution has accepted the following elements of backwardness; illiteracy and lack of education, poverty, exploitation of labour, non-representation in services and untouchability.