The Maharashtra government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has initiated a committee to explore the sub-classification of Scheduled Castes (SCs) in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling. This committee, headed by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, is tasked with reviewing representations from various SC groups and is expected to submit its findings within a month. The sub-classification, often referred to as a 'quota within a quota', aims to allocate reservation benefits more equitably among different caste groups within the SC category. Concerns have been raised that certain more organized groups, such as neo-Buddhist Dalits, have disproportionately benefited from existing reservations, leaving smaller communities like the Matangs behind. While this approach may appeal to marginalized groups, it has sparked criticism from Ambedkarite factions who fear it could weaken Dalit unity and political power. The BJP's renewed focus on sub-classification is also a strategic response to its poor performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it secured only 17 out of 48 seats, prompting a recalibration of its outreach to Dalit communities.