# Mayawati opposition to economic-based reservation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mayawati-opposition-to-economic-based-reservation > Updated: 2026-08-23T05:32:38.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has voiced strong opposition to efforts to introduce economic criteria into the existing reservation system for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). Initially, Mayawati opposed the ‘creamy layer’ concept for SC and ST reservations, arguing that caste-based discrimination cannot be measured by economic progress alone. She stated that reservation serves as a tool for “social change, economic liberation, and self-respect” and urged the central government to ensure these communities remain exempt from such classifications. Following protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar regarding demands for reservation based on economic status, Mayawati characterized these demands as “anti-reservation.” She argued that shifting the focus to economic criteria undermines constitutional protections and that any failure of poverty alleviation programs is a result of government corruption rather than a reason to alter the reservation system. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-23: Mayawati opposes economic-based reservation demands BSP leader Mayawati has condemned protests at Jantar Mantar demanding reservation based on economic status, calling the move anti-reservation and harmful to constitutional protections for SC, ST, and OBC groups 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mayawati-opposes-economic-based-reservation-demands ### 2026-08-09: Mayawati opposes creamy layer concept for SC and ST reservations BSP chief Mayawati opposed implementing a 'creamy layer' for SC and ST reservations, calling it contrary to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's constitutional vision and criticizing RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's views. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mayawati-opposes-creamy-layer-concept-for-sc-and-st-reservations --- Cite as: Mayawati opposition to economic-based reservation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mayawati-opposition-to-economic-based-reservation