RESERVATION ACT - A Political Tool
RESERVATION ACT - A Political Tool
“Divide and Rule
Is not that Cool”
This is one of the slogans put up by activists of “Youth for Equality” as many of our friends marched down the streets of Delhi to protest against the upcoming event of “Division by Cast”. This event is indeed forecasted as one of the effects of the new version of Reservation Act by many well wishers of India.
Before going into any kind discussion about the merits and demerits of this act let us have a glimpse at the political career of our present H.R.D minister Arjun Sing – the modern prophet of Dalits.
As pointed by one his colleagues Mr. M.L Fotedar “Sing’s refusal to act after the Ayodha incident has let the Narasimha Govt. off the hook”. As the report on “The Times of India” suggests it was Sing who refused to resign at that crucial moment permitting the Govt. to take an easy breather.
The Ayodha incident of 1992 had indeed raised several eyebrows about the security of minorities in India. The Govt. was at the gunpoint and busy in several face-saving activities. Many well wishers of India had opined that this should be the end of the Govt. But that was not the case to happen. And the one of the persons who helped the Govt. to secure their place is our present honorable H.R.D minister Mr. Arjun Sing. – (“the times of India, Kolkata” on May 8 2006, pg 8)
So its is not very difficult to conclude that Arjun Sing is one of the culprits of saving the Govt. in 1992 – the Govt. that failed to give safety to millions of minority families .
The above incident is meant to aware our Readers about the political background of our H.R.D minister. If any of our readers are thinking that Arjun Sing is the only “Thorn in flesh”, then he is wrong, but we certainly hope that it was the truth. Then the problem in hand would have been much easier to tackle. Unfortunately this thought is far away from the reality. Arjun Sing is only the engine of a long train that consists of several bogies called cabinet ministers.
It is surprisingly true that the “COMMON MINIMUM PROGRAMME” of the U.P.A. does discuss codifying all reservations and enacting a reservation act. It also speaks of being very sensitive to the issue of affirmative action, including reservation in the private sector. – (India Today May 15 2006, pg 19&20)
The major matter of concern is that even after fifty-nine years of independence the country’s two largest parties are controlled by upper caste Satraps. Four out of six general secretaries of B.J.P are Brahmins while four out of eight in the Congress are upper-class politician. The Congress actually wants to consolidate its position in over 200 parliamentary seats by wooing back the Dalits and perhaps, get a share of the O.B.C’s too. There is certain game plan that is undeniable. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, the Forests Land for Tribal Bill, the newly mooted quota in Central Universities and now the proposition of jobs in private sector are all aimed at inclusive growth – not of India but of Congress Party. (India Today May 15 2006, pg 20)
Whatever we have mentioned up-to this point may be a matter of concern or irritation depending on which side of the line you are standing. But one can hardly forget the history behind the quota Let us ease your thought, just take a look at the following details-
The first Backward Classes commission, constituted on January 29, 1953, and headed by Kaka Saheb Kalekar, then a member of Parliament, recommended 70% seats in all technical and professional institutions for qualified students from the Backward Classes, besides a minimum reservation of vacancies in all Govt. services and local bodies on three fold scale, namely 25% for Class I post; 33.5% for Class II posts; and 40% for class III and IV posts.(Frontline May 5th pg-12)
Ironically the then CONGRESS GOVT. said it was disappointed with the commission’s criteria and conclusions. The Govt. actually expressed fear that the recognition of specified castes as backward might serve to maintain and perpetuate the existing distinction on the basis of caste. In 1962, the Centre advised the States that in its views it was better to apply economic tests than go by caste. (Frontline May 5th pg-12)
Unfortunately today’s Congress Party has changed their stand and shouting in favor quota.
Don’t u think the quota policies of Congress changes with season??
Let’s take a look at the second attempt made by the Janata Party in rule on Dec 20, 1978. It was during this time that a commission was formed to examine the desirability and necessity of reservation for OBC’s. (Frontline May 5th pg-12)
• 1980: A commission under B.P.Mandal submits report on reservation for O.B.C’s to home minister.
You will me amazed what happened after that. The answer is nothing!
Nothing happened for almost ten years….
And one night V.P Sing had a dream about implementing this act, so he wake up one fine morning and the incidents described below followed….
• 1989: V.P.Sing the then Prime minister accepts the report.
• 1989-90: Anti Mandal protests engulf India
• 1992: Supreme Court finally clears all legal hurdles to its implementation.
• 1993: Mandal Recommendation extended to all central jobs.
Although Mandal Commission clearly recommended that All Universities and affiliated colleges to be covered by this act, Mr. V.P Sing modified it and it was implemented only in Services under Govt. of India and PSU’s.
Why did V.P Sing depart from the Mandal Report???
Was it aimed to stop the snowballing of the popular agitation against this announcement? Or did he think it was more important to consolidate the gains of reservation in Public Services than introduce reservation in educational institute, which is likely to fuel students’ protest?
Our fellow readers will be amazed to know that our beloved Congress party was extending their support to the anti-Reservationists students at that time. It’s an amazing history how, why and when this Congress Party has changed their colors. (Frontline May 5th pg-12)
V.P Sing had recommended the reservation for 10 yrs only, after which this should have been reviewed. (From FRONTLINE of May 5th 2006 and INDIA TODAY MAY 15th 2000)
Can anybody tell us where the Review Report is??
If there was a Review committee at all!!
So whichever side of the line you are standing you must always agree that playing the “quota” card has always been a genetical problem of Indian politics. So Indian National Congress cannot be blamed alone if you wish to do so.
Mandal part II has been welcomed with protests and student’s revolt all across the country. One of the major reasons for that - there is a general feeling that this is a politically motivated move than a social one.
Another vital reason for the protest is that the bill is a major discomfort to the Non-Quota students. Although no concrete figures are present on O.B.C’s share in the I.I.T’s, I.I.M’s and 20 Central universities, at present it is calculated by the academics to be around 20%. Remarkable! These O.B.C students qualify without any quota. (Pg 27 India Today may 15th)
But the Govt. says:
Yeh Dil Mange more!!!!!
Anyway let’s consider the situation after the reservation act is implemented. After the reservation of 27% for them the O.B.C representative will go up to 47%. With another 22.5% reserved for S.C’s and S.T’s applicants. So the final figure tells that there will be 69.5% representation in I.I.T’s, I.I.M’s and 20 Central universities for Dalits and other deprived categories (Pg 27 India Today may 15th).
It is not hard to imagine from the above discussions what will be the situation of the General Category students. And India, a secular, sovereign, democratic, republic country will top the list of victims.
The medical colleges of different states are not even spared from this decision or indecision as some may call. Getting a future forecast the students all over the country have lodged their protest against this politically motivated Govt. bill which is yet to be implemented.
Gone are the days of “forgive and forget” we have even pledged not to vote for Congress and U.P.A in the upcoming elections.
Our movement got a boost up as Science and Technology Minister Mr. Kapil Sibal said that “Govt. must not initiate any measure that could dilute India’s ability to compete in global economy”.
An eminent figure of I.N.C and member of Gandhi parivar has also made his comment “It’s a very Complex issue and both sides have valid points”- Rahul Gandhi.
Many of our quota friends may be tempted to think that although the future of general candidates is at stake, they are under the safe guard of Govt. policies. Unfortunately the above thought is not only wrong but the reality is that they are the categories whose interests are going to be hampered by worst.
Consider the proposition for job reservation in the private sectors. Assuming a population of 1.02 billion, we can guesstimate the SC/ST population around 240 million. Going by Indian demographics, the people of this group in working age will be around 120 million. Now pose this against the opportunity that the proposed quota will create. F.I.C.C.I Secretary General Mr. Amit Mitra points out that of the 400 million jobs in the country only 7% or 28 million are in organized sector. Of this around 19 millions jobs are in Govt. and public sector, where reservations are already in force. This means that the universe for application of quota is limited to around nine million.
Economist and PHDCCI Secretary General Bibek Debroy points out “Even if reservations were to be implemented instantaneously, it would only create around two million job opportunities for the quota applicants”. (India today May 15th pg-21)
As already mentioned number of Dalits in working age is 120 million, 9 millions already employed leaving 111 million. So 2 million of 111 million or 1.08% will be benefited leaving behind 109 million still in tears.
How’s that!!
• 110 number of sitting O.B.C M.P’s in both houses of parliament.
• 12 number of sitting O.B.C chief minister in the country.
As citizens of India we have every right to ask the Govt. how the above mentioned have contributed to the development of Dalits and minorities.
As Lilliput politicians we will help our readers understand the present situation of Dalits and minorities in India. Please take a look at the given figures.
• Barely four out of ten Dalits are literate.
• Eight out of ten Dalits drop out of school before class X.
• Seven out of ten are illiterate among S.T.
• Over 80% of reserved seats at industrial training are vacant and there are no takers.
Smile please!!! Because here is more to follow…
• 37.82% of literacy among S.C.
• 79.88% of high schools drop out rate among S.C.
• 1, 00,000 Govt. jobs under quota vacant across the country.
• 6% class I central Govt. jobs held by S.C’s and S.T’s.
(From several pages of India Today may 15th)
This is a never ending list so we have only pointed out a few. We are not trying to criticize the O.B.C ministers but we are trying to find the answer to the following question.
What is the guarantee that 2+9=11 millions of employed Dalits will help another 109 million to gain their position in the society?
Going a step ahead one can also query what is the guarantee that a small percentage of these Dalits will not create, a so called “Upper class Dalits” getting advantage of quota and start ruling their own people. Then in future India is going to witness another riot. This time between the Dalits who were deprived of quota and Dalits who were benefited by quota.
This is not our assumptions neither we had a dream like V.P Sing had.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, in its eighth report on SC, ST, OBC (Reservation in post and services) Bill, 2004, found that many of the castes, races and tribes among SC’s, ST’s and OBC’s had been deprived of the benefits of reservation in services/jobs as these were restricted to certain upper caste among weaker sections.
“Exclusion of some caste from the benefits of reservation has pushed then far behind, which violation of principles of social harmony and social equality is as embodied in the constitutional provisions,” it said.
They have given examples like Valmiki Majhab caste in Punjab which is on the verge of extinction.
The committee feared that a particular sub-caste or a group of homogeneous class may enjoy the benefits of reservation while the other more backward classes may have been passed by.-(FRONTLINE May 5th Pg-14)
That was all about reservation for jobs in private sector.
Now let us consider another controversial decision of implementing more quotas in Govt. Institutions.
As we have already pointed out the literacy rate, percentage of dropouts at the primary level and number of vacant quota seats among the Dalits and the deprived categories, the decision of implementing more quotas in Govt. Institutes is highly questionable. The real thing is that getting admission to premier institutions of India and to complete the course needs a basic educational background. And the Govt. has failed to provide that.
The proof is that 50% seats reserved for the S.C’s and S.T’s remains still vacant. (India today pg 29 May 15th)
“The issue is not simply entering these hallowed portals of learning”, points out 25 year old Arunabha Patro of IIM-C. “It’s what happens after that matter”, adds the student from Orissa “Is the course restructured? Or the level of competency lowered just to accommodate the quota students”?
The major problems that the quota students face after they are pushed into these institutions are:
1. The quota tag deflates their confidence to the ground.
2. The language of instruction (English).
3. Poor level of primary and secondary education makes the competency level much higher.
4. Inability to approach teachers because of inhibiting anxieties.
(India Today pg 28 & 29)
An old proverb says “Regulations makes a rule and exceptions prove it.”
Yes, there are exceptions like Sharad Babu an Entrepreneur and former student of B.I.T – Pillani and IIM-A. A boy who learnt his first alphabets under the gloomy street lamps. He now owns his own catering company and dreams of opening a ‘desi’ food store chain someday. Even he has admitted that reservation should be a social tool not a political. (India Today pg 28 & 29)
The truth lies in the fact that basic elementary primary and secondary education cannot be replaced with a shortcut solution like quota in premier institutions.
From all the above mentioned facts only one conclusion can be drawn and that is the action plan taken by the Govt. will melt only the tip of the iceberg leaving the rest intact.
The major matter of concern is that there is an underlying thought that the Govt. actually wash off their hands in terms of developing millions of deprived families of India.
Whenever the issues like “Development and Welfare of Dalits and minorities” will be raised later they will start reciting their old poem of “Reservation Act”.
Thus the deprived will never get justice, their situation will hardly improve and their agony will be stuffed in the cold storage of Govt. policies.
This certainly justifies our previous conclusion that “Quotas will increase the problems of Dalits and minorities”.
Whether U.P.A can come up with a political gain will certainly depend on the chemistry of their campaign and understanding of the people. Even they are in a dilemma of implementing this act.
Perhaps the Govt. needs an expert botanist to tell them that it’s useless to water the leaves and branches of a tree unless you can provide it with a good fertile soil and then water its root.
The above statements of ours can be better explained from the words of Mr. Azim H. Premji- the chairmen of Wipro Ltd. (India Today pg 24)
“Attack the root of INEQUITY”-he said.
He also said that “We need to fight this issue at several levels simultaneously-and simplistic solutions like reservation in employment will not suffice. They may go some way in addressing a small minority of those affected but will leave the majority untouched. They may in fact, lead to cascading complications, and the negative impact of which will outweigh the benefits”.
He has himself come up with a few suggestions that are given below:
• Review the definition of “Underprivileged”: Criteria such as mere birth in a designated caste need to be de-prioritised to consider the facts that like historical aspects, socio-economic status and opportunities to participate in the nation’s growth.
• Provide stronger incentives at the elementary and secondary level- every child from under-served communities should be drawn into the mainstream educational process to level the playing field.
• Catalyze a revolution in micro-entrepreneur-ship and self-employment: For this we need to focus on vocational training, appropriate financing, insurance and accessible technology.
• Achieve transformation in the socio-cultural practices followed by elected bodies – every municipal corporation or panchayat must be mandated to eradicate discrimination at its level.
• Re-orient the education system to address the issues of inequity at all levels. Teachers and the entire system have to be sensitized to any kind of discriminatory treatment based on caste class or gender.
Although he believes that he is not an expert on such issues his suggestions sounds sensible to many sensitive ears.
If Mr. Premji can find time to think reasonable solutions being the chairmen of Wipro and one of the busiest persons in India why not our celebrated political leaders. After all they are elected to do so and common people have to pay tax to pet them.
“If there is a will there is a way”- why don’t our foreign minister consults with China, Singapore or U.S.A and follow there footsteps in this regard. Actually the proverb is reverted in their case. They hardly have time for constructive thinking after they finishes counting of ballots.
Take the example of Communist Party of West Bengal.
According to them if ‘E’ is the probability for existence of U.P.A Govt. and ‘C’ is the probability of implementing the Common Minimum Program then
E α C
They are in favor of reservation but with some modifications. CPM wants the Govt. to draw a line between the needy and the creamy layer among the OBC’s, before implementing quotas. They have also demanded reservation for economically weaker sections of upper castes. The above mentioned suggestions sounds somewhat sensible in the sense that it will at least prevent the creamy layers of O.B.C’s become more creamy. (The Times of India, Kolkata May 18, pg-6)
Their statements show signs of contradiction. If reservation can be done in the upper caste on basis of economic conditions why this same formula cannot be extended for everybody. CPM views reservation as a limited step to provide opportunities for the backward classes. Thus it can be concluded that even after 59 years CPM is satisfied if the problems of backward classes and other deprived classes can be solved partially (Since they support this reservation act). Actually their intention is right but not the direction and they are helpless in the sense that they don’t want to loose the Dalits vote while making a sensible move. It is very easy to comment from the above discussions that they also suffer from the same old genetic problem of Indian Politics that we have mentioned earlier.
Their party affiliated newspaper ‘Ganasakti’ hardly covers any news about this student revolution. Although there common slogan is “Long live revolution”.
Their party’s news paper People’s Democracy supported this move in an editorial. The editorial also talked about an equity triangle – quantity, quality and equity. The editorial said “Reservation definitely addressed the issue of inequity…..” It’s very easy to point out while we are trying to put emphasis on Bottom-up theory, their theory will simply create an upside-down of the entire society. So while putting emphasis on Equity triangle they wants India to get lost in the Bermudas triangle.
- (pg 6 FRONTLINE MAY 5th 2006)
Take another example of our honorable railway minister Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav. Speaking to the media at a railway zonal manager’s conference, Lalu said: “I have no objection if there is 5 to 10 % reservation for the children of upper-caste, especially those who are economically weaker among them”.
He is even ready for an amendment in the constitution in this regard. (The Times of India, Kolkata May 6th FrontPage)
What a person and what a solution?
Another Solution that the Govt. is planning is to increase the number of seats in I.I.M’s and I.I.T’s. This is for the information of my readers - the latest news on “The Times of India” says I.I.T’s and I.I.M’s faces a faculty crunch. Not only that many even faces problems like inadequate hostel facilities. (The Times of India, Kolkata May 16, pg-6)
More to that “Quota peace may cost Govt. Rs. 8000 cr.” As indicated in The times of India, Kolkata May 22nd the proposed plan of the Govt. to dose the quota fire by hiking the number of seats in the educational institution will cost at least Rs. 8000 cr. Even the PM has told his CWC colleagues that implementation of the expansion project could take a while. Another report on The Times of India, Kolkata May22nd, pg 6 points out The Rs. 8000 cr. Figure with which the Govt. hopes to make good its pledge, that the number of general category students will not shrink, is a preliminary estimate and the amount could increase.
Thus the feasibility of this kind of solution is highly doubtful to all of us.
So it can be easily concluded that our Govt. is heading towards another politically motivated move which totally unjustified in logical sense.
If the motive behind a social job is political it will definitely lack some proper planning which is very visible in this case.
The simple question of whether somebody should be in favor or against of the present Reservation Act cannot be answered in a single word. So we leave the judgment to our fellow readers.
Throughout this whole article our intention was to aware our fellow readers, supporters and oppositions about the present situation of Dalits and underprivileged class of Indian citizen. So that they could assess what our celebrated leaders has done for them for the past fifty nine years or so. We have also tried my best to analyze how much those quotas are beneficial for the persons concerned.
We feel we have supplied enough statistics and Data to prove that this move of the Govt. is a mere politically motivated move so the heading of this article is fully justified.
We want to end with a dream that in the coming days Govt. will come up with a solution that sounds sensible. Even if reservation is implemented, it should be implemented as a social tool and also with some modifications so that it reaches out to the people who are actually deprived for 59 years. It will be done in such a manner that all the corners of the society get benefited. Then at about 2056 there will be no need for reservation and there will be no need for such protests. The term underprivileged will get extinct from India. Only then we can stop our fellow political leaders playing with the Quota cards and playing with our lives.
-Long Live democracy
For any queries contact –
youthforequalitywb@gmail.com
www.yfewb.blogspot.com
An Exclusive Report from Youth for equality
– Kolkata Chapter
“Divide and Rule
Is not that Cool”
This is one of the slogans put up by activists of “Youth for Equality” as many of our friends marched down the streets of Delhi to protest against the upcoming event of “Division by Cast”. This event is indeed forecasted as one of the effects of the new version of Reservation Act by many well wishers of India.
Before going into any kind discussion about the merits and demerits of this act let us have a glimpse at the political career of our present H.R.D minister Arjun Sing – the modern prophet of Dalits.
As pointed by one his colleagues Mr. M.L Fotedar “Sing’s refusal to act after the Ayodha incident has let the Narasimha Govt. off the hook”. As the report on “The Times of India” suggests it was Sing who refused to resign at that crucial moment permitting the Govt. to take an easy breather.
The Ayodha incident of 1992 had indeed raised several eyebrows about the security of minorities in India. The Govt. was at the gunpoint and busy in several face-saving activities. Many well wishers of India had opined that this should be the end of the Govt. But that was not the case to happen. And the one of the persons who helped the Govt. to secure their place is our present honorable H.R.D minister Mr. Arjun Sing. – (“the times of India, Kolkata” on May 8 2006, pg 8)
So its is not very difficult to conclude that Arjun Sing is one of the culprits of saving the Govt. in 1992 – the Govt. that failed to give safety to millions of minority families .
The above incident is meant to aware our Readers about the political background of our H.R.D minister. If any of our readers are thinking that Arjun Sing is the only “Thorn in flesh”, then he is wrong, but we certainly hope that it was the truth. Then the problem in hand would have been much easier to tackle. Unfortunately this thought is far away from the reality. Arjun Sing is only the engine of a long train that consists of several bogies called cabinet ministers.
It is surprisingly true that the “COMMON MINIMUM PROGRAMME” of the U.P.A. does discuss codifying all reservations and enacting a reservation act. It also speaks of being very sensitive to the issue of affirmative action, including reservation in the private sector. – (India Today May 15 2006, pg 19&20)
The major matter of concern is that even after fifty-nine years of independence the country’s two largest parties are controlled by upper caste Satraps. Four out of six general secretaries of B.J.P are Brahmins while four out of eight in the Congress are upper-class politician. The Congress actually wants to consolidate its position in over 200 parliamentary seats by wooing back the Dalits and perhaps, get a share of the O.B.C’s too. There is certain game plan that is undeniable. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, the Forests Land for Tribal Bill, the newly mooted quota in Central Universities and now the proposition of jobs in private sector are all aimed at inclusive growth – not of India but of Congress Party. (India Today May 15 2006, pg 20)
Whatever we have mentioned up-to this point may be a matter of concern or irritation depending on which side of the line you are standing. But one can hardly forget the history behind the quota Let us ease your thought, just take a look at the following details-
The first Backward Classes commission, constituted on January 29, 1953, and headed by Kaka Saheb Kalekar, then a member of Parliament, recommended 70% seats in all technical and professional institutions for qualified students from the Backward Classes, besides a minimum reservation of vacancies in all Govt. services and local bodies on three fold scale, namely 25% for Class I post; 33.5% for Class II posts; and 40% for class III and IV posts.(Frontline May 5th pg-12)
Ironically the then CONGRESS GOVT. said it was disappointed with the commission’s criteria and conclusions. The Govt. actually expressed fear that the recognition of specified castes as backward might serve to maintain and perpetuate the existing distinction on the basis of caste. In 1962, the Centre advised the States that in its views it was better to apply economic tests than go by caste. (Frontline May 5th pg-12)
Unfortunately today’s Congress Party has changed their stand and shouting in favor quota.
Don’t u think the quota policies of Congress changes with season??
Let’s take a look at the second attempt made by the Janata Party in rule on Dec 20, 1978. It was during this time that a commission was formed to examine the desirability and necessity of reservation for OBC’s. (Frontline May 5th pg-12)
• 1980: A commission under B.P.Mandal submits report on reservation for O.B.C’s to home minister.
You will me amazed what happened after that. The answer is nothing!
Nothing happened for almost ten years….
And one night V.P Sing had a dream about implementing this act, so he wake up one fine morning and the incidents described below followed….
• 1989: V.P.Sing the then Prime minister accepts the report.
• 1989-90: Anti Mandal protests engulf India
• 1992: Supreme Court finally clears all legal hurdles to its implementation.
• 1993: Mandal Recommendation extended to all central jobs.
Although Mandal Commission clearly recommended that All Universities and affiliated colleges to be covered by this act, Mr. V.P Sing modified it and it was implemented only in Services under Govt. of India and PSU’s.
Why did V.P Sing depart from the Mandal Report???
Was it aimed to stop the snowballing of the popular agitation against this announcement? Or did he think it was more important to consolidate the gains of reservation in Public Services than introduce reservation in educational institute, which is likely to fuel students’ protest?
Our fellow readers will be amazed to know that our beloved Congress party was extending their support to the anti-Reservationists students at that time. It’s an amazing history how, why and when this Congress Party has changed their colors. (Frontline May 5th pg-12)
V.P Sing had recommended the reservation for 10 yrs only, after which this should have been reviewed. (From FRONTLINE of May 5th 2006 and INDIA TODAY MAY 15th 2000)
Can anybody tell us where the Review Report is??
If there was a Review committee at all!!
So whichever side of the line you are standing you must always agree that playing the “quota” card has always been a genetical problem of Indian politics. So Indian National Congress cannot be blamed alone if you wish to do so.
Mandal part II has been welcomed with protests and student’s revolt all across the country. One of the major reasons for that - there is a general feeling that this is a politically motivated move than a social one.
Another vital reason for the protest is that the bill is a major discomfort to the Non-Quota students. Although no concrete figures are present on O.B.C’s share in the I.I.T’s, I.I.M’s and 20 Central universities, at present it is calculated by the academics to be around 20%. Remarkable! These O.B.C students qualify without any quota. (Pg 27 India Today may 15th)
But the Govt. says:
Yeh Dil Mange more!!!!!
Anyway let’s consider the situation after the reservation act is implemented. After the reservation of 27% for them the O.B.C representative will go up to 47%. With another 22.5% reserved for S.C’s and S.T’s applicants. So the final figure tells that there will be 69.5% representation in I.I.T’s, I.I.M’s and 20 Central universities for Dalits and other deprived categories (Pg 27 India Today may 15th).
It is not hard to imagine from the above discussions what will be the situation of the General Category students. And India, a secular, sovereign, democratic, republic country will top the list of victims.
The medical colleges of different states are not even spared from this decision or indecision as some may call. Getting a future forecast the students all over the country have lodged their protest against this politically motivated Govt. bill which is yet to be implemented.
Gone are the days of “forgive and forget” we have even pledged not to vote for Congress and U.P.A in the upcoming elections.
Our movement got a boost up as Science and Technology Minister Mr. Kapil Sibal said that “Govt. must not initiate any measure that could dilute India’s ability to compete in global economy”.
An eminent figure of I.N.C and member of Gandhi parivar has also made his comment “It’s a very Complex issue and both sides have valid points”- Rahul Gandhi.
Many of our quota friends may be tempted to think that although the future of general candidates is at stake, they are under the safe guard of Govt. policies. Unfortunately the above thought is not only wrong but the reality is that they are the categories whose interests are going to be hampered by worst.
Consider the proposition for job reservation in the private sectors. Assuming a population of 1.02 billion, we can guesstimate the SC/ST population around 240 million. Going by Indian demographics, the people of this group in working age will be around 120 million. Now pose this against the opportunity that the proposed quota will create. F.I.C.C.I Secretary General Mr. Amit Mitra points out that of the 400 million jobs in the country only 7% or 28 million are in organized sector. Of this around 19 millions jobs are in Govt. and public sector, where reservations are already in force. This means that the universe for application of quota is limited to around nine million.
Economist and PHDCCI Secretary General Bibek Debroy points out “Even if reservations were to be implemented instantaneously, it would only create around two million job opportunities for the quota applicants”. (India today May 15th pg-21)
As already mentioned number of Dalits in working age is 120 million, 9 millions already employed leaving 111 million. So 2 million of 111 million or 1.08% will be benefited leaving behind 109 million still in tears.
How’s that!!
• 110 number of sitting O.B.C M.P’s in both houses of parliament.
• 12 number of sitting O.B.C chief minister in the country.
As citizens of India we have every right to ask the Govt. how the above mentioned have contributed to the development of Dalits and minorities.
As Lilliput politicians we will help our readers understand the present situation of Dalits and minorities in India. Please take a look at the given figures.
• Barely four out of ten Dalits are literate.
• Eight out of ten Dalits drop out of school before class X.
• Seven out of ten are illiterate among S.T.
• Over 80% of reserved seats at industrial training are vacant and there are no takers.
Smile please!!! Because here is more to follow…
• 37.82% of literacy among S.C.
• 79.88% of high schools drop out rate among S.C.
• 1, 00,000 Govt. jobs under quota vacant across the country.
• 6% class I central Govt. jobs held by S.C’s and S.T’s.
(From several pages of India Today may 15th)
This is a never ending list so we have only pointed out a few. We are not trying to criticize the O.B.C ministers but we are trying to find the answer to the following question.
What is the guarantee that 2+9=11 millions of employed Dalits will help another 109 million to gain their position in the society?
Going a step ahead one can also query what is the guarantee that a small percentage of these Dalits will not create, a so called “Upper class Dalits” getting advantage of quota and start ruling their own people. Then in future India is going to witness another riot. This time between the Dalits who were deprived of quota and Dalits who were benefited by quota.
This is not our assumptions neither we had a dream like V.P Sing had.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, in its eighth report on SC, ST, OBC (Reservation in post and services) Bill, 2004, found that many of the castes, races and tribes among SC’s, ST’s and OBC’s had been deprived of the benefits of reservation in services/jobs as these were restricted to certain upper caste among weaker sections.
“Exclusion of some caste from the benefits of reservation has pushed then far behind, which violation of principles of social harmony and social equality is as embodied in the constitutional provisions,” it said.
They have given examples like Valmiki Majhab caste in Punjab which is on the verge of extinction.
The committee feared that a particular sub-caste or a group of homogeneous class may enjoy the benefits of reservation while the other more backward classes may have been passed by.-(FRONTLINE May 5th Pg-14)
That was all about reservation for jobs in private sector.
Now let us consider another controversial decision of implementing more quotas in Govt. Institutions.
As we have already pointed out the literacy rate, percentage of dropouts at the primary level and number of vacant quota seats among the Dalits and the deprived categories, the decision of implementing more quotas in Govt. Institutes is highly questionable. The real thing is that getting admission to premier institutions of India and to complete the course needs a basic educational background. And the Govt. has failed to provide that.
The proof is that 50% seats reserved for the S.C’s and S.T’s remains still vacant. (India today pg 29 May 15th)
“The issue is not simply entering these hallowed portals of learning”, points out 25 year old Arunabha Patro of IIM-C. “It’s what happens after that matter”, adds the student from Orissa “Is the course restructured? Or the level of competency lowered just to accommodate the quota students”?
The major problems that the quota students face after they are pushed into these institutions are:
1. The quota tag deflates their confidence to the ground.
2. The language of instruction (English).
3. Poor level of primary and secondary education makes the competency level much higher.
4. Inability to approach teachers because of inhibiting anxieties.
(India Today pg 28 & 29)
An old proverb says “Regulations makes a rule and exceptions prove it.”
Yes, there are exceptions like Sharad Babu an Entrepreneur and former student of B.I.T – Pillani and IIM-A. A boy who learnt his first alphabets under the gloomy street lamps. He now owns his own catering company and dreams of opening a ‘desi’ food store chain someday. Even he has admitted that reservation should be a social tool not a political. (India Today pg 28 & 29)
The truth lies in the fact that basic elementary primary and secondary education cannot be replaced with a shortcut solution like quota in premier institutions.
From all the above mentioned facts only one conclusion can be drawn and that is the action plan taken by the Govt. will melt only the tip of the iceberg leaving the rest intact.
The major matter of concern is that there is an underlying thought that the Govt. actually wash off their hands in terms of developing millions of deprived families of India.
Whenever the issues like “Development and Welfare of Dalits and minorities” will be raised later they will start reciting their old poem of “Reservation Act”.
Thus the deprived will never get justice, their situation will hardly improve and their agony will be stuffed in the cold storage of Govt. policies.
This certainly justifies our previous conclusion that “Quotas will increase the problems of Dalits and minorities”.
Whether U.P.A can come up with a political gain will certainly depend on the chemistry of their campaign and understanding of the people. Even they are in a dilemma of implementing this act.
Perhaps the Govt. needs an expert botanist to tell them that it’s useless to water the leaves and branches of a tree unless you can provide it with a good fertile soil and then water its root.
The above statements of ours can be better explained from the words of Mr. Azim H. Premji- the chairmen of Wipro Ltd. (India Today pg 24)
“Attack the root of INEQUITY”-he said.
He also said that “We need to fight this issue at several levels simultaneously-and simplistic solutions like reservation in employment will not suffice. They may go some way in addressing a small minority of those affected but will leave the majority untouched. They may in fact, lead to cascading complications, and the negative impact of which will outweigh the benefits”.
He has himself come up with a few suggestions that are given below:
• Review the definition of “Underprivileged”: Criteria such as mere birth in a designated caste need to be de-prioritised to consider the facts that like historical aspects, socio-economic status and opportunities to participate in the nation’s growth.
• Provide stronger incentives at the elementary and secondary level- every child from under-served communities should be drawn into the mainstream educational process to level the playing field.
• Catalyze a revolution in micro-entrepreneur-ship and self-employment: For this we need to focus on vocational training, appropriate financing, insurance and accessible technology.
• Achieve transformation in the socio-cultural practices followed by elected bodies – every municipal corporation or panchayat must be mandated to eradicate discrimination at its level.
• Re-orient the education system to address the issues of inequity at all levels. Teachers and the entire system have to be sensitized to any kind of discriminatory treatment based on caste class or gender.
Although he believes that he is not an expert on such issues his suggestions sounds sensible to many sensitive ears.
If Mr. Premji can find time to think reasonable solutions being the chairmen of Wipro and one of the busiest persons in India why not our celebrated political leaders. After all they are elected to do so and common people have to pay tax to pet them.
“If there is a will there is a way”- why don’t our foreign minister consults with China, Singapore or U.S.A and follow there footsteps in this regard. Actually the proverb is reverted in their case. They hardly have time for constructive thinking after they finishes counting of ballots.
Take the example of Communist Party of West Bengal.
According to them if ‘E’ is the probability for existence of U.P.A Govt. and ‘C’ is the probability of implementing the Common Minimum Program then
E α C
They are in favor of reservation but with some modifications. CPM wants the Govt. to draw a line between the needy and the creamy layer among the OBC’s, before implementing quotas. They have also demanded reservation for economically weaker sections of upper castes. The above mentioned suggestions sounds somewhat sensible in the sense that it will at least prevent the creamy layers of O.B.C’s become more creamy. (The Times of India, Kolkata May 18, pg-6)
Their statements show signs of contradiction. If reservation can be done in the upper caste on basis of economic conditions why this same formula cannot be extended for everybody. CPM views reservation as a limited step to provide opportunities for the backward classes. Thus it can be concluded that even after 59 years CPM is satisfied if the problems of backward classes and other deprived classes can be solved partially (Since they support this reservation act). Actually their intention is right but not the direction and they are helpless in the sense that they don’t want to loose the Dalits vote while making a sensible move. It is very easy to comment from the above discussions that they also suffer from the same old genetic problem of Indian Politics that we have mentioned earlier.
Their party affiliated newspaper ‘Ganasakti’ hardly covers any news about this student revolution. Although there common slogan is “Long live revolution”.
Their party’s news paper People’s Democracy supported this move in an editorial. The editorial also talked about an equity triangle – quantity, quality and equity. The editorial said “Reservation definitely addressed the issue of inequity…..” It’s very easy to point out while we are trying to put emphasis on Bottom-up theory, their theory will simply create an upside-down of the entire society. So while putting emphasis on Equity triangle they wants India to get lost in the Bermudas triangle.
- (pg 6 FRONTLINE MAY 5th 2006)
Take another example of our honorable railway minister Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav. Speaking to the media at a railway zonal manager’s conference, Lalu said: “I have no objection if there is 5 to 10 % reservation for the children of upper-caste, especially those who are economically weaker among them”.
He is even ready for an amendment in the constitution in this regard. (The Times of India, Kolkata May 6th FrontPage)
What a person and what a solution?
Another Solution that the Govt. is planning is to increase the number of seats in I.I.M’s and I.I.T’s. This is for the information of my readers - the latest news on “The Times of India” says I.I.T’s and I.I.M’s faces a faculty crunch. Not only that many even faces problems like inadequate hostel facilities. (The Times of India, Kolkata May 16, pg-6)
More to that “Quota peace may cost Govt. Rs. 8000 cr.” As indicated in The times of India, Kolkata May 22nd the proposed plan of the Govt. to dose the quota fire by hiking the number of seats in the educational institution will cost at least Rs. 8000 cr. Even the PM has told his CWC colleagues that implementation of the expansion project could take a while. Another report on The Times of India, Kolkata May22nd, pg 6 points out The Rs. 8000 cr. Figure with which the Govt. hopes to make good its pledge, that the number of general category students will not shrink, is a preliminary estimate and the amount could increase.
Thus the feasibility of this kind of solution is highly doubtful to all of us.
So it can be easily concluded that our Govt. is heading towards another politically motivated move which totally unjustified in logical sense.
If the motive behind a social job is political it will definitely lack some proper planning which is very visible in this case.
The simple question of whether somebody should be in favor or against of the present Reservation Act cannot be answered in a single word. So we leave the judgment to our fellow readers.
Throughout this whole article our intention was to aware our fellow readers, supporters and oppositions about the present situation of Dalits and underprivileged class of Indian citizen. So that they could assess what our celebrated leaders has done for them for the past fifty nine years or so. We have also tried my best to analyze how much those quotas are beneficial for the persons concerned.
We feel we have supplied enough statistics and Data to prove that this move of the Govt. is a mere politically motivated move so the heading of this article is fully justified.
We want to end with a dream that in the coming days Govt. will come up with a solution that sounds sensible. Even if reservation is implemented, it should be implemented as a social tool and also with some modifications so that it reaches out to the people who are actually deprived for 59 years. It will be done in such a manner that all the corners of the society get benefited. Then at about 2056 there will be no need for reservation and there will be no need for such protests. The term underprivileged will get extinct from India. Only then we can stop our fellow political leaders playing with the Quota cards and playing with our lives.
-Long Live democracy
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youthforequalitywb@gmail.com
www.yfewb.blogspot.com
An Exclusive Report from Youth for equality
– Kolkata Chapter
posted by Ramit Sengupta at 6:31 AM
1 Comments:
True enough i have know words of defiance but to agree with the author's views.Reservation seems to be more of the act of politics than country's welfare.And we all know what treatment students are getting for going against such a bill which is unfair.That also brings about further issues of how police should be handling the crowd.The TOI sunday review talks abt it.So there seems to be many areas needed to be improved in 'their' implicit nature rather than just giving them a path and not teaching them to walk on it.
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