Our Party gives emphasis for abolition of castes. It is true that without freeing dalits, the caste abolition is not possible. But at the same time BCs also have some genuine problems. Our documents never refer them as if they are our enemies on par with capitalists and landlords. Why our Party is silent or less emphatic on their problems? R Jeyaraj, Trichy, Tamilnadu THE CPI(M) stands for the ending of all forms of caste oppression and discrimination. Its basic aim is the abolition of the caste system itself. In the structure of caste oppression, it is the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who are the worst sufferers as they are considered to be outside the caste varna system. Even after nearly seven decades of independence and the promulgation of the constitution, which recognises equal rights for all citizens, there is no change in the basic structure of caste oppression of dalits and adivasis who suffer from various forms of discrimination including untouchability. The type of oppression and discrimination suffered by the dalits and the adivasis are distinct in nature, compared to other oppressed castes. That is why the Party has a special focus on fighting against the social oppression faced by the dalits and the adivasis. As far as the Backward Classes are concerned, they also suffer from the disabilities imposed by the centuries old caste order, particularly in terms of social and educational backwardness. That is why the CPI(M) has supported reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in education and jobs. However, there is a great deal of differentiation within the broad category of the Backward Classes. With the development of capitalism and other socio-economic changes, those who are termed as Backward Classes have some sections who are dominant in terms of land holding and their economic status. Some of the upper categories of the OBCs have attained a higher economic and social status. The situation is further complicated by the fact that some of these dominant OBCs are oppressing the dalits and adivasis in certain regions. That is why the CPI(M), while supporting measures such as reservations and the removal of other social disabilities for the OBCs, does not subscribe to treating the OBCs as a single category. In some states, there has been further sub-categorisation of the Other Backward Classes into most backward classes or extremely backward classes. This has been designed to ensure that the more oppressed and backward caste groups within the OBC get access to reservation and other benefits. The CPI(M) has supported these measures. Further, the CPI(M) has been advocating an economic criteria within the OBCs in the matter of reservation and other social benefits. This was necessary because with socio-economic development, an upper strata has developed within a particular caste grouping. The poorer sections within this caste group are unable to access the benefits of reservation. It is this principle which was accepted partially in the Supreme Court judgment which decreed that the creamy layer should be excluded from the reservation benefits for the OBCs. The CPI(M) also recognises that a large number of people belonging to the Backward Classes are poor peasants, manual labourers and belong to the rural and urban poor. Therefore, it seeks to combine taking up their social demands along with their class and economic demands.