Open Forum

New Delhi, 17 March 2016

Reservation Demand

REVIEW TO ENSURE SOCIAL JUSTICE

By Dhurjati Mukherjee

The Jats in Haryana have raised the reservation bogey to scary heights. They warn that if their demands, including withdrawal of criminal cases following the mayhem that rocked the State last month, are not met they would be back on the streets. But they are not the only ones in the clamour for reservations. There have been similar agitations by the Patidars in Gujarat, Kapus in Andhra Pradesh, Marathas in Maharashtra and Gujjars in Rajasthan. These dominant landlords in the rural sector want to corner further gains from the political system though there hangs a big question mark on their deserving it.

The issue of reservations has come to the forefront not on considerations of social justice but something else. A recent judgment of the Supreme Court, in striking down the inclusion of Jats in the OBC list, clearly pointed out that caste reservations are not effective as a tool of social justice. Obviously, the criterion for reservations has to be focused on uplifting the conditions of the poor and economically weaker sections. But recent studies have revealed that only a segment of SCs and OBCs, who are quite well off have been consistent beneficiaries while a significant portion of these categories have been at the receiving end.

The rationale behind Dr Ambedkar’s reservations was to allow SCs and STs to acquire skills and knowledge that would bring them to the mainstream of life and activity. In fact, this was focused to confer self-confidence in those who had been exploited over the years on false beliefs and considerations. 

It is difficult to find correlation between reservation and poverty in most cases at this juncture. A few months back, The Economist reported that the proportion of dalits at the highest levels of the civil service had increased from a mere 1.6 per cent in 1965 to 11.5 per cent in 2011 and even more at lower levels. But this is no reason to justify reservation as it exists now because of the fact that its continuance for so many decades has not had the desired effect.

The current system of reservation is not about equal opportunity or even to bring the poor and the impoverished at par with the rest of the society. It is about distributing the spoils of State power according to caste. One may mention here that the traditional caste system amongst the Hindu community has come in for criticism from sociologists in India and abroad as through this there is an attempt to discriminate one section against the other which, in a modern state, is really uncalled for.

Unlike Ambedkar, Mandal did not give importance to economic factors as also objective education, but to what he called ‘social backwardness’. This allowed various communities to start agitation in spite of not being considered economically deprived. Not to speak of the OBCs, who are far from being downtrodden and their being given reservation have accelerated jealousy in rural areas. The Jat agitation is an example in this regard.     

The divide today is between the urban and rural sectors and between the rich and the poor. Caste cannot be the solution, and instead class is the real challenge. It goes without saying that even after more than six decades of Independence the social scene has changed dramatically with differing classes within the same caste. The poorer sections have been languishing and the Government does not have the courage to induct economic considerations as the basis for reservations.

While the Scheduled Tribes category may be retained as it is, those in the other categories may be considered after examining their financial condition. Obviously, those who belong to LIG or MIG sections should not be considered for reservations. Here the question of ‘creamy layer’ has to be taken into consideration and kept in mind in considering the question of reservation.

Another major problem regarding reservations is that in Government departments reservations continue up to the post of Director (in Central services). On the other hand, reservations do not allow general candidates to get sufficient seats in medical institutes and IITs whereas below average SC and ST candidates gain entry due to reservations.

As a result, general category candidates who may be more meritorious cannot reach the top in government jobs. There is strong grievance due to reserved category candidates jumping over them, resulting in decline in performance. There have been suggestions, and quite justifiably so, that even if the present reservation policy is allowed to continue, there should be a single point reservation at the entry point only. Continuance of reservations has no justification and should immediately be stopped.

One is aware of the fact that there have been several reports regarding decline in teaching standards in colleges and universities due to reserved category candidates, who are otherwise not capable enough, being considered. In fact, this has been a major problem in academic institutions in the country and experts are deliberating on this matter with all seriousness. It is a well-known fact that if teaching standards do not improve, this would have an adverse effect on students, who may find it difficult to match themselves with changing times.   

In a country where there is an imperative need for good and efficient governance as also the necessity for bringing the deprived sections into the mainstream of life and society, the reservation policy has to be reviewed judiciously. Moreover, the question arises why Muslims and Christians should pay the compensation as the logic of reservation is to compensate one set of Hindus for their historical oppression.

Indeed, it is critical to re-examine the need for evolving such a reservation policy that benefits the deprived and the economically weaker sections. A total reorientation in policy may come after a committee is set up with sociologists, economists, jurists as also political leaders from all parties to delve into the issues from a rational and judicious standpoint keeping in view the greater interest of the community. However, what is necessary is political will and sincerity keeping in view the urgent need of upgrading the living standards of the poor.             

Following the constitution of a committee, its recommendations when finalized would be a beginning towards resolving this contentious issue. Though it appears that the recommendations may not be acceptable to those enjoying the benefits of reservations for years together, there is need to put an end to existing policies in the best interests of society.  However, what is needed most at this stage is political courage to transform an irrational policy that has outlived its purpose in its present form. If the NDA government is bold enough to review the reservation policy, it would show its pragmatism and far-reaching consequences. ---INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)