Always wondered if the RESERVATION stuff that our respected politicians keep talking about is really what is required for EMPOWERMENT of the targeted group of society.
Since independence we have had politicians who have been simply too good at what they do – setting up commissions – be it enquiry or study commissions. We have had plenty of commissions to asses the conditions of backward classes of the society. Bet you, the intent was very good (@least it looks like), after all for the Nation to move forward – what is required is for the development to take place at the grass root level and it needs to be uniform, i.e., everybody should get a taste of development without any discrimination being done.
If I were to go on with reservation problems (as I see it) – that could probably go into pages and may be I would end up having to find a publisher to make it available for others to read (may be those posts some other day).
For now, let me stick to what triggered me to write this post.
I recently came across this statement from our Home Minister Mr.Chidambaram.
“Women to get reservation in govt jobs: Chidambaram”
Amazing Mr.Chidambaram – who would occupy those reserved jobs while a family wouldn’t (or cannot) afford to have their girl child educated (and we know the reason behind it – we have seen umpteen number of T.V serials to have an idea of it – so let me not go in there). If you need these posts to be occupied as per the reservation – get them some basic education, for them to be eligible to get there.
(Okay – please note – this was written purely considering the govt. jobs where the candidates need to be educated – there is a separate set of reservations for women where it is not necessary for them to be educated – yeah I was talking about “33% reservation in parliament (that is covered at the bottom)”).
And speaking of the general reservation ruckus, this is what I found on Wikipedia on Reservation
Reservation in Indian law is a form of affirmative action whereby a percentage of seats are reserved in the public sector units, union and state civil services, union and state government departments and in all public and private educational institutions, except in the religious/ linguistic minority educational institutions, for the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or the Scheduled Castes and Tribes who were inadequately represented in these services and institutions. The reservation policy is extended for the SC and STs in representing the Parliament of India, etc.
The central government of India reserves 27% of higher education, Reservation in most states is capped at a maximum of 50%, but certain Indian states like Rajasthan have proposed a 68 % reservation which ironically includes a 14% reservation for forward castes
Ha ha… 14% reservation for the forward caste – exactly what we were looking to achieve in the first place.
And what more – did you know – whole of India would end up in the backward category (OBC) in a few years. Since independence the list of OBCs has been growing year on year, while not a single caste comes of the list (rarely – I’ve not heard of it – not even a rumor). Why is it so? Does it not reflect that the policies of the govt. over the last 60+ years have not been of any use?
Definitely, by providing reservation to women doesn’t empower them, the resources need to be used elsewhere. Many could always point out – its a starting point, but hello – why is it that all of our govt. initiatives are starting point and not the end point or continuation. Why is it that these multiple starting points don’t touch each other. After 62 years since independence it looks like we haven’t understood how to empower people, all that we have learnt is to setup commissions, extend their study time, mindlessly debate them and use it for the coming elections.
But hey, I never mentioned reservation has not been of any help to anybody – look at the bigger picture – if there was a proper plan/scheme to reservation – what I say is it would’ve been much more effective (many folds), with many more people having tasted the fruits of reservation.
I must confess, I hate reservations based on caste, category, religion or ethnicity etc.. I would rather go by family income (yeah, it does have its complexities and loop holes – but this by far more fair than anything).
And the topic I’ve been hearing for ages together. We were asked to debate on this during my Class 11th by our “General Studies” teacher (wonder what a teacher can teach under “General Studies” – anyways he did good job of it – he set up lots of discussions and debates – I think ideal way to conduct). So it’s been 10 years since then and the debate still rages on in the political circles. 10 years to decide if Women need reservation of 33% in parliament.
Get a life Mr.Politicians. We have a big gang of leaders opposing it (notably RJD & SP). I don’t understand how this reservation would enabled Women at grass root level (ground reality), all that I see is instead of just Sons, Son-in-law, Brother, Brother-in-law, Father, Grand-father, Grand-son coming into politics we would now have Wife (or wives) (RJD is actually the leader here – wonder why Lalu is bothered), Mom, Sister, Sister-in-law, Daughter, Daughter-in-law (did I miss any one out), thats it – that is all the difference is going to be.
And Mulayam Singh Yadav (or was it Lalu) was beating the drum of people who earned their place in politics – like himself, Lalu, L.K.Advani would, by working towards it would not make it anymore. (How did his son earn the place???)
Glib, But Truth 