- People familiar with the political narrative in India would be ruing the fact that despite the country making tremendous progress in the last few decades in every field, our elected representatives continue to hanker about the time-tested and vote-consolidating measures like quotas and reservations. Despite knowing that the social and economic upliftment of the lower strata of society should be based on opportunities, growth, development, and provisioning of a level playing field, our political leaders never let go of an opportunity to rake up the issue of quotas and reservations whenever it suits them.
PC: TOI
- What started as a measure to support the historically suppressed strata of society sadly has turned out to be a game of opportunism. As you are aware, Indian society is deeply divided by a labyrinthine caste conundrum that simply refuses to fade away. Why? Simply because our leaders sense an opportunity to consolidate their assiduously built vote banks which are again based on caste lines. We may keep hearing about the leaders bombastically boasting about not regarding caste, creed, class, and gender as the criterion while canvassing to seek votes. But deep down, it is well known that Indian politics cannot move beyond the caste equations. At least, not yet.
- So long as gullible strata of society fall for the political trap, there is no way our representative will let go of any opportunity to sway emotionally charged people for parochial considerations. Note that India’s many post-Mandal reservation agitations have upended the original aim of providing temporary support to historically disadvantaged groups. Agitations are often carried out by socially and politically influential groups, aiming to use reservations as a route to enhance job prospects. As mentioned above, political parties are weaponizing caste surveys to offer false solutions to frustrated youth rather than ensure enough opportunities in employment, enterprises, and businesses are created for the youth.
PC: Scroll
- Look at what’s happening in Maharashtra politics which is in flux because of the unresolved issue of reservation for Marathas. Agitators for reservation issue ultimatums to the state government amid violent protests. However, the state government has treated these agitators with kid gloves so far. Further, the SC had struck down a state government decision to provide reservations to Marathas in May 2021. The judiciary in general is unconvinced about the need to breach the 50% cap on group-based reservations. Exceeding the cap is only possible if governments can show a compelling case through the provision of credible data.
- None of the dominant group agitation that has been supported by political parties has managed to do so. That’s unsurprising. Dominance and disadvantageousness don’t usually coexist. Mind you, more quotas won’t create jobs. There exists a structural economic problem that cannot be solved by social engineering. Additional jobs must come from the private sector, meaning private investment. This is where political parties must focus their attention. Not by whipping up communal, caste, and similar such inducements. Will the political class embrace the reality staring at them or simply adopt the time-tested formula? My guess is as good as yours.
