Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot tried to underplay the political implications of the move. “This has been a long-standing demand from the people. In 1992 too the Supreme Court had in a judgment given a similar recommendation. The OBC Commission as well as the standing committee have favoured this. So it is not actually a new idea,” Mr. Gehlot said.

The committee will have an uphill task. Though the caste census has been completed, the Ministry of Home Affairs is yet to release it. “Our Ministry has details that there are 5000-odd castes but we do not have the exact number of people who fall under this list. The caste census remains with the Home Ministry,” Mr. Gehlot added.

The BJP welcomed the move wholeheartedly. “The decision of the Modi government to form a commission for the sub-categorisation of OBCs, is a move that will prioritise the Extremely Backward Classes and adheres to the principles of justice,” BJP president Amit Shah tweeted welcoming the Cabinet’s decision.