Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was careful not to criticize the Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision to extend the creamy layer concept to SC/ST reservations but hinted that the government would “act” after studying the order in detail — a move that might become necessary in view of the widespread criticism of the order by political parties today.

Speaking to reporters at the Iftar hosted by him this evening, the Prime Minister said, “The Supreme Court has taken a decision. We have to study it and then we will act.”

Taken in conjunction with the Congress party’s initial reaction yesterday — that the SC judgment would “inevitably and understandably raise a new debate” — the PM’s comment indicated that the government would not be averse to legislative action to undo the court’s order if necessary.

The most forceful plea for parliamentary intervention came from Janata Dal (U) president Sharad Yadav today who demanded that a special session of Parliament be convened immediately to discuss the situation arising out of the SC order and take “remedial legal and constitutional steps.”

Sharply criticizing the decision to extend the creamy layer concept to the SCs/STs, Yadav demanded that all acts and issues relating to reservations — including quotas for OBCs — be put in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution to avoid “judicial interference.”

Union minister and Lok Janashakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan also told The Indian Express that his party was totally against the contents of the SC order. Introduction of the creamy layer concept, he argued, was aimed at scuttling reservations for the Dalits and tribals who continued to be at the bottom of the country’s socio-economic ladder.

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