Friday, April 11, 2008

Thoughts on Reservation

So finally the SUPREME COURT OF INDIA has upheld the decision of the MHRD to introduce reservation for OBC in higher education .Since the issue has direct implications for the 'VOTE BANK' politics it has met with an enthusiastic response from across the political spectrum.The decision has been hailed as 'historic' by nearly all the political parties.The total percentage of Reservation in the educational institutions stands at 49.5 and that too is not because of any sense of fairplay but due to the restrictions introduced by an earlier decision of SUPREME COURT which restricts the percentage to be kept under 50%.

Without going into the merits and demerits of Reservation,the oppression faced by the people due to the oppressive caste system etc. which have been endlessly debated,there are a few observations which require attention:

1. The Reservation policy in employment was initially introduced for the SC/ST at the time of acceptance of CONSTITUTION for a period of 10years and was to be subsequently reviewed.Since Dr B.R.AMBEDKAR was Chairman of the commitee which drafted the CONSTITUTION and which included many other stalwarts(the word had a truer meaning in those days),it can be presumed that the period of 10 years was debated and arrived upon giving everybody a fair chance.The "oppresed" were given a time frame during which an entire generation could uplift itself and the Government could create conducive conditions making the requirement of extension infructuous.

The truth in this matter needs no elaboration.I wonder whether there is even a single shred of paper where the matter was rationally discussed susequently.Any voice of sanity is suppressed by shrill cries of "being anti poor"," carrying the legacy of the oppressor".Incidentally data indicates that susequent to introduction of the policy of reservation not a single caste has moved out if its ambit and hundreds more have infact been included for its benefit.Talk of reservation emancipating the 'backwards'.Hundreds more are clamouring to get under its umbrella, the riots in RAJASTHAN between the Gujjars and Meenas are a case in study.We might be the only country in the World where people fall over backwards to get themselves called "BACKWARD".And come to think of it we pride ourselves on being a developed nation.

2 The minority educational institutions (fully funded by the Govt. offcourse) have been exempted under this policy to increase reservation.The subtle hints are that caste is something preached and practised by the Hindus only.However only a few days back a news item appeared where the Govt. wanted to provide the benefits of reservation to Dalit Christians and dalit Muslims.So the inference is that a Dalit Christian can claim benefit of Reservation everywhere else except Christian minority educational instituion.The Hypocricy and the fraud being played out is amazing.

3Dr AMBUMANI RAMADOSS availed the benefit of being an SC candidate in becoming a Doctor.Nothing wrong in it ,except that his father was a sitting RAJYA SABHA M.P. at the time.Not surprisingly he has vehemently opposed the part of the SUPREME COURT decision regarding exclusion of 'creamy layer' from availing the benefit.So brace yourself for a constitutional amendment in this regard.

The time to raise our voice and save the country is now.Are we ready.......................