Reservations-Modern Day Apartheid?
The primary objective of reservations in India
was to bring the historically “lower castes” at par with the people who
historically had access to education and economic resources. However its
efficacy is still a debatable topic.
While on one side reservations have helped to
enhance the educational and social status of many, reservations in India are now
driven by political motives. Student beneficiaries continue to support it for
the guarantee of a better college with lesser fees while some are in its favour
for a quicker promotion. The people suffering from reservation system are the
one’s belonging to the “upper middle class” of the general category. Students
having a better score and eligibility fail to get an admission in a prestigious
college as a student with lesser score and a reservation fills that seat. A
hard working employee is curtailed from promotion as it’s given to somebody
having less qualification but being from a reserved category. With the advent
of the 10 percent quota, situations are worsening.
The Central Government has decided to foot the
additional financial requirements for 10% quota for the economically weaker
sections among 'forward castes' in centrally funded higher education
institutions. The real problem with it is that it shrinks the size of
admissions and jobs based purely on merit to merely 40 per cent. Whenever a
society compromises on quality, it gives the wrong message that its best and
brightest are not valued. Some of these will perforce be ejected, seeking
greener pastures and distant shores. In the end, our competence deficit will
increase, as will our problems.
So, if reservations are not the
solution then what is? The answer is simple. Instead of indulging in
cynical vote-bank politics the leaders of our country need to look beyond their
political gains and invest more in educational institutions, increase the
number of seats for higher education, improve the quality of teaching in
government schools to bring it at par with other private schools, provide more
opportunities for employment in the secondary and tertiary sector and also
ensure proper implementation of its existing schemes. Thus, I would like to
conclude my topic by quoting Debashis Sarmah,
“Not every DNA carries wealth and
intelligence,
Not everyone with a Surname needs
upliftment.
It’s time to stop being greedy
and help the needy.
Else cut that lie of mentioning
right to equality.”
Wow so gud (English is not my first language)
ReplyDeleteThe debate about reservations in our country rages on, and there are no clear winners.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the contradictions in our constitution. In theory, all Indians are equal. But there is a special schedule in our constitution which advocates reserving a quota in education and jobs for disadvantaged castes and communities. You need to note that the reservation is not for individual members, but for entire castes or communities. So, people thought it worthwhile to remain united as castes / communities and lay claims to the quota. The govt of the day is hence forced to appease a very large group rather than individuals.
In a diverse society with massive inequality, reservations have been useful in uplifting a vast population. Hence it can be argued that it has been beneficial. But then, like you say, the quality of our workforce could regress in the long run. I liked the term 'competence deficit'; came across it for the first time!!
Over the years, it has also been noticed that, reserved seats are often not filled by those who truly deserve it.
Its also strange that while our country should aim to progress, we have communities that agitate to be included in the backward classes!!
Can the policy be reversed now? I'm afraid not; there's too much at stake for the government of the day and the beneficiaries. The irony is that, its their path to 'success'.
Oh yeah yeah
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