Had I written this a month ago,you would've found my views completely different to the ones I'm about to express.Such is the complexity involved in this issue that it is impossible for someone directly affected to take a logical stand.However,ever since I've secured my seat in an institute of higher learning,I have begun to analyze the issue in an unbiased perspective... To begin with,let me just say that i
n a civilized society,there is no room for as heinous a concept as reservation.The practice of providing special benefits to a certain section of society is a democratically flawed principle.It not only violates democratic guidelines,it also promotes the very thing that reservation tries to abolish:discrimination.
The very fact that reservation plays a major role in our lives is what keeps discrimination alive in a civilized society. However,the Indian society is so stooped in traditions and customs that
the normal rules of a civilized society are not applicable to ours.Sati and dowry still have'nt been abolished.We still look down upon people of lower castes.Our contempt towards economically weaker sections of society is evident in our behaviour...In short,
Reservation is a necessary evil...Inspite of the the incredulity that the above statement might evoke,it is true that there is no better cure for our ailments than reservation.Whether we like it or not,reservation still exists in our society.If it didnot,
why would Garima Godara been denied admission to a supposedly sophisticated institute. Here's what Barkha Dutt had to say about the Garima Godara issue:
"I learnt after the programme was over — and it is significant that neither she nor her parents brought this up themselves — that she is an OBC.
For some months now, as the debate over reservation has raged, opponents of the quotas have made the same point again and again: we should be a society where merit matters. It’s a compelling argument, and one that I have personally supported.
But what do the anti-quota street fighters have to say now? Here’s a girl who competed in the mainstream, her own DAV pitched against the trendier, richer, big names. But her merit was swallowed up by prejudice.
Is it any wonder then that supporters of reservation believe that the system is stacked against them, and that merit is a con-word used by upper-caste tricksters?"This is what convinced me
.We cannot demand a society based on merit,and then kill merit at the same time.I cannot but agree with Ms.Dutt...So what is the solution to the reservation issue?I have heard many theories,and here's what I suggest:
1.A
fresh census to determine the exact percentage of OBC's in our society.If reservation has to be implemented,I suggest it should be
based on current statistics,not on the 1930 census(upon which the Mandal commission's recommendations are based).After all,
49.5% is too big a number to truly reflect the people in genuine need of reservatiom.2.Since the number of seats in higher educational institutes cannot be increased at such short notice,a
staggered implementation of reservation is the best solution.Implement 5% now,10% after five years,20% after fifteen years and so on.
3.Since
the purpose of reservation is the upliftment of an entire section of society,care must be taken that
the same individuals cannot use reservation twice.For example,a person,whose father or mother has used the reservation system to reach the echeleons of society,should not be allowed to use reservation to again uplift himself.He after all has had access to the same resources as students of the general category,and reserving a seat for such individuals would be unjust.
4.Lastly,I suggest a
time frame for reservation.Reservation cannot go on indefinitely.I suggest 100 years after Independence would be the right time to abolish reservations.
This is my view.You,dear reader,can have your own perspective.Have no "reservations" about expressing yours.After all,dialogue is the only means by which we can reach a consensus on an issue as complicated as this.
