OBC Empowerment is not just a slogan—it’s a civil rights struggle that India can no longer ignore. For decades, OBC communities have fought for what is rightfully theirs: representation, opportunity, and dignity. Yet every step forward is blocked by invisible walls—creamy layer restrictions, politics of ruled and ruling parties, unfilled quotas, and a refusal to collect caste data. These aren’t technical delays. They are deliberate tools of exclusion. If justice is to be real, the barriers must fall—now.
The Numbers Tell the Real Story
Look at the data, and the story becomes clearer. Nearly 8 lakh vacancies, meant for OBCs in Central Government jobs, remain unfilled—even decades after the Supreme Court validated 27% reservation. OBCs remain severely underrepresented among faculty in top institutions like IITs, IIMs, and NITs. The higher judiciary continues to operate without a single OBC judge in the Supreme Court, and barely any in the High Courts. Even the existing OBC Employees in Central Secretariat are deprived of promotional opportunities.
The EWS quota, offering 10% reservation, was enacted without delay and has mostly favored the upper castes. In contrast, core OBC demands—like a nationwide caste census, raising the scholarship income ceiling, and the inclusion of poor OBCs in EWS—are repeatedly ignored. This shows us where urgency lies—and where it doesn’t.
Barriers to OBC Empowerment Go Beyond Policy:
Creamy Layer or Convenient Barrier?
OBCs face an additional barrier—the ‘creamy layer’ filter—that does not apply to SCs and STs. This concept excludes many deserving candidates based on income or profession. The irony? The income ceiling hasn’t been revised in years, and poor OBC families still get left out—both from OBC reservations and the EWS quota. Many OBC Youth have been selected in UPSC, SSC, etc. Competitive exams are often disqualified. Stating that they come under “Creamy Layer” and are not eligible for OBC Quota.
This dual exclusion leads to one harsh truth: OBC Empowerment is obstructed not by lack of opportunity, but by selective rules.
Why Empowering OBCs scares the System :
Let’s be honest. Real OBC empowerment makes many in power uncomfortable. If more OBCs get positions in top areas like the judiciary, government, and universities, it would change who holds influence not only in the above segments, in the country. Political leaders often ask for OBC votes, but they rarely support real changes that would make OBCs strong and independent.
There’s also a fear of sharing power and privilege, which some groups have controlled for a long time. That’s why actions like filling OBC quotas, giving them a voice in policymaking, or teaching the importance of reservation in schools are seen as “sensitive” or “controversial”. It is a systematic, well-structured wall to prevent Empowered of OBCs.
It’s Time to Demand More Than Promises
The path is not only complicated – but also:
- Fill all vacant OBC posts in government jobs and educational institutions
- Reform or remove the creamy layer rule that unfairly limits access to reservations
- Include economically poor OBCs in the 10% EWS quota
- Conduct a nationwide caste census to make policy based on facts, not assumptions
- Raise the scholarship income limit for OBC students to match what is allowed under EWS standards
- There should be reservations for OBCs in the Legislative Assembly and, Local Bodies of Parliament.
But let’s be clear—none of this will happen through silence. It will take unified, consistent pressure from OBC communities, students, thinkers, and social justice allies. This is not a demand for special treatment. This is a demand for constitutional justice—and that cannot be delayed any longer. For achieving this, OBC Communities should aware of their rights, unite and raise!
No More Waiting: Time for Equal Power
Delaying justice is denying justice. And denying it to the largest marginalized group in India is not just immoral—it’s unsustainable. OBC Empowerment must no longer be feared; it must be pursued with urgency, honesty, and courage.
Until then, let’s keep asking: Why OBCs do not unite for their moral and mandatory rights? What prevents them? Is it ignorance or lack of will? – Whatever it is, they can’t ignore this vital / essential requirement anymore!
To do it they need to join in organization like OBC – Rights and get details from www.obcrights.org
