LOOK!! SOME ONE BEHIND YOU HAS RESERVED THAT PLACE
It has been a while since my last post and I am still wondering on what to blog about.
Although there have been myriad articles on the reservation controversy, here is my take on it.
Reservations were first introduced eons ago (50 years to be precise) to account for the social and economic inequality that prevailed then. Also then, social status was directly linked to economic position. According to the census taken then, nearly 22.5% were classified as SC/STs and 30% as OBCs. As the first step, the SC/STs were promoted using reservations. The basic purpose behind introducing such partisan, populist and seemingly unfair measures was to make up for the centuries of oppression inflicted upon the lower strata of society (SC/STs). So as to seek mercy and also to provide an even playing field, such policies were introduced in educational institutions and also in government sector employment opportunities.
In 1994, Mandal commission was constituted to see into the reservations and see whether there was any further requirement. The commission came out with a report suggesting reservations even for the backward classes. This did not go down well with the people and hence was not implemented. Anyway a few states were delighted by the idea as it would increase their political mileage and implemented it. The states included Tamil Nadu (no wonder). Now I would like to throw light on some of the parameters that are used to determine whether the caste you belong to is backward or isn’t. If more than 50% of women in your community are employed then you are doomed to be backward. Also if most of your community has to walk more than 0.5 km for clean water or most girls get married before 17, your community is called backward. Though all these criteria are obsolete when applied to city dwellers, these metro people are the ones who are going to make use of these reservations. And hence those walking half a km for water and getting married before 17 are going to continue doing it and are least bothered about all these developments.
Actually I would like to put the blame on our parents for keeping the caste system alive. Although educated they all have married within their castes thus allowing casteism to thrive. What if everyone had married otherwise, then we will be facing another sort of crisis where in a method cannot be found to classify us and hence we wouldn’t be subject to reservation. This was what I was thinking, but then my dear friend told me that once such an intercaste marriage takes place, then the child can have any one of the parents caste (something for you to ruminate on).
But I think we need not worry about our futures because it is in the safe hands of people like Arjun Singh, our HRD ministry (Was the portfolio given by lots). Also our APJ’s view is that the number of seats in premier institutions should become large enough to render reservations meaningless (very plausible). And our beloved PM does not want to comment on this issue other than asking the medicos to give up. Anyway I cannot understand why the medicos are striking. Most have gained admission into the premier medical institute and are settled with their lives. I thought they were doing it to gain some media coverage and also bunk a few inescapable classes. Again my knowledgeable friend pointed out that PG programmes in medicine which have a very miniscule intake have reservations.
What irks me more is the pro protestors. What are they protesting for?? It is like accepting that they have been discriminated by the society this long, which no urban dweller can claim for sure. And Chennai has seen more protests supporting reservations rather than against it (something to be proud about).
So what can be the likely solution for this problem?? While helping the people in the lower strata come up, the general quota students should also not be hindered. One possibility is to take a census again to ascertain the population of each community and then go along with the proposed reservations. Also children of people who have already benefited from reservations (through education or employment) can be exempted and brought under general category. Also to premier institutes, some practical cutoffs must be kept for reserved communities. Like say the SC/STs not scoring atleast 80% of the lowest general category student can be doomed inadmissible. This will also benefit them later as they won’t find it much difficult to cope with the course pressures. I say this because my intellectual friend told me yesterday that one of his classmates is joining IIM-B this year with an absolute score of 22 in CAT. Now that is infuriating.