Description

Rooted in rigorous empirical research, this book presents an objective evaluation of affirmative action in India from the Poona Pact of 1932 to 2026. While affirmative action was envisioned by the framers of the Constitution as an interim bridge to empower the most downtrodden and marginalized communities, the book investigates an unsettling paradox: over seven decades, affirmative action has created more than 11.35 lakh decision-making positions across Parliament, state assemblies, local self-governance, and civil services, yet political representation has largely consolidated within an elite circle of approximately 7,000 to 7,500 recurring families.
Tracing historical tribal polities, colonial land and criminal laws, and landmark judicial pronouncements—including the Supreme Court’s 7-judge Constitution Bench ruling on sub-classification and the creamy layer (State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh, 2024)—the author offers an evidence-based roadmap. The book advocates for actionable structural reforms, such as a graded phase-out model, dynamic asset-based creamy layer criteria, and mandatory seat rotation, to ensure that the fruits of social justice reach the last citizen standing in the socio-economic queue.

About the Author

Prashant Prakash Singh “Suryavansi” is a dedicated social activist, legal-civic researcher, and writer committed to administrative accountability, constitutional awareness, and equitable social justice. He is the founder and president of the YARRI Foundation, a registered civic organization working at the grassroots level to advance public grievance redressal, legal literacy, and community welfare.
Driven by an evidence-first approach, Singh actively works on legal representations, historical heritage documentation, and public accountability frameworks. In 11 lakh kursiyan aur 7,000 Parivar, he combines meticulous archival research, official statistical reports from the Election Commission of India, and constitutional jurisprudence to present a constructive, data-driven perspective on modern democratic representation.