Key insights
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Context of Article 341: Article 341 of the Indian Constitution provides the President the authority to specify the castes, races, or tribes that are to be considered as Scheduled Castes in relation to a state or union territory.
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Judicial Interpretation: The Supreme Court emphasized that the primary objective of Article 341 is to give a constitutional identity to Scheduled Castes, enabling them to avail benefits and protections, and not to classify them as a single, homogenous group.
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Case Background: The clarification came during a case examining whether certain castes should be included in or excluded from the Scheduled Castes list. The court's interpretation will impact how these decisions are made in the future.
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Implications for Policy: This interpretation can influence how government policies are framed and implemented, particularly those related to affirmative action and social welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes.