- The word reservation is used ubiquitously in the country ever since the nation achieved its independence. Reservation as a word is bandied about with such forceful vehemence that the conversation on the topic evokes passionate reactions from diverse quarters. Historical misgivings and practices of yore have had a profound effect on the society’s social fabric grossly dividing the already tenuous existence of people. Caste cauldron followed since millenniums continues to this day suitably mirrors how we as a nation have not let go those divisive practices even as the entire humankind marches ahead on newer inventions/advancements.
PC: theliberacy
- Deeper scrutiny of history reveals that the marginalized people after having endured centuries of suppression, deprivation, and embarrassment inflicted on them were conferred with reservations, as a means to course-correct rampant and sustained exploitations, to uplift as well as ensure their transition into the mainstream seamlessly. Our founding fathers’ intentions were never in doubt whose only intention was to play the role of enablers to facilitate subjugated people stand shoulder to shoulder with others. What transpired subsequently is known to one and all as political fraternity smelt great opportunity to divide the society into caste lines by offering inducements in the form of quotas/reservations.
- Rather than make concerted efforts to provide equal opportunities by encouraging deprived lot to embrace education as a means to emancipation from the oppression perpetrated by the hierarchical society, resorting to quotas reserving percentages in government jobs and education has only succeeded in vertically dividing the harmonious civilization. As a fallout, quotas extended to cover the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Castes have risen to 50% reservations, as mandated by the Supreme Court. To consolidate vote banks largely based on caste lines, the political parties are not loathed to further explore possibilities of extending the quota percentages. Political gamesmanship at play, you see.
PC: oneindia
- Hence, few states have extended quotas to even majority communities who not only enjoy considerable social standing but also are reasonably well-off economically as well. The case in point is Maratha reservations by the previous Maharashtra Government that reached the Supreme Court which is examining the issue of whether the percentage of the quota could be extended beyond the 50% capping. It is a no-brainer that the Apex Court should not even consider allowing the capping to extend beyond the present 50% and advise the concerned Governments’ to strengthen ways to encourage merit as the sole criterion.
- All political parties and the Governments formed by these entities should devote efforts to empowering the deprived lot allowing them to stand on their own without any crutches of quotas and reservations to prop them. Humble submission to the SC to pass strictures delineating measures to abolish quotas and facilitate greater opportunities to embrace merit.Note that free reign to Governments’ on the matter would curtail organic development of oppressed and spectacularly fail to integrate them into the mainstream rendering the society poorer in the overall scheme of things. Hope the SC delivers just judgment!
