On January 1, 1979, the Morarji Desai government chose Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal, a former chief minister of Bihar, to head the Second Backward Class Commission.

Background:
The Second Backward Classes Commission, also known as the Mandal Commission, was established in 1979 by the Government of India. The objective of the commission was to identify and recommend measures for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes in the country. This commission played a significant role in shaping India's reservation policies.

Head of the Commission:
The Second Backward Classes Commission was headed by Bhupeshwar Prasad Mandal, commonly known as B. P. Mandal. He was a prominent Indian politician and a member of the Indian Parliament. B. P. Mandal belonged to the backward classes himself, which provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by these communities.

Mandal Commission Report:
The commission conducted an extensive study on the social, economic, and educational conditions of various communities in India. The findings of the commission were published in the Mandal Commission Report, which was submitted to the Government in 1980.

The Mandal Commission Report identified a total of 3,743 castes as socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs). It recommended that a quota system be implemented to provide reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for SEBCs. The Commission suggested that 27% of government jobs and seats in educational institutions should be reserved for SEBCs.

Impact and Controversies:
The Mandal Commission's recommendation of reservation for SEBCs stirred significant controversy in India. While it was intended to uplift marginalized communities, it also faced resistance from sections of society who believed that merit should be the sole criteria for opportunities.

The implementation of the Mandal Commission's recommendations led to widespread protests and political debates. Eventually, in 1990, the Government of India decided to implement the reservation policy for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) based on the Mandal Commission's recommendations.

Conclusion:
B. P. Mandal's leadership of the Second Backward Classes Commission was instrumental in bringing attention to the issues faced by socially and educationally backward classes in India. The Mandal Commission Report and its subsequent implementation resulted in significant changes in India's reservation policies, aiming to provide equal opportunities for historically marginalized communities.