Shillong, May 25: Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has strongly appealed to Voice of the People Party (VPP) Chief Ardent Basiawmoit to refrain from continuing his indefinite hunger strike as it could have severe consequences.

Basiawmoit is on an indefinite hunger strike to demand discussions on the job reservation policy by the state government.

Expressing concern, Minister Sangma warned, “We are playing with fire and it will burn everybody, including the VPP. It will destroy the future of our youth.”

He cited a case from 2014 in Maharashtra where the Supreme Court had invalidated an ordinance enacted by the state government that exceeded the permissible reservation limit of 50% for a particular tribe. The apex court subsequently issued a circular to all states, including Meghalaya, reinforcing the 50% cap.

Sangma emphasized, “We are at risk because Meghalaya currently enjoys 85% reservation for tribals, with 80% allocated to Khasi-Jaintia and Garo communities and 5% for other tribes. When the Supreme Court sought replies from the states, the Meghalaya government submitted its justification for the 85% reservation on March 27, 2021. However, the Supreme Court’s decision on this matter is still pending.”

Referring to a 1992 Supreme Court case involving the government of Kerala, the education minister pointed out that the court had ruled that any job reservation and appointment policy must not exceed the 50% limit.

He cautioned, “Continuing this drama could lead to unforeseen consequences, and if our reservation policy is invalidated, we will bear the responsibility. This is not an isolated incident; it has happened before. If such a scenario unfolds, our future generations will never forgive us.”