Reservation: Reloaded
Times Of India Article
For more than half a century, India has maintained quotas for socially disadvantaged classes in government jobs, political bodies and educational institutions. Supporters say they are merely trying to make the system fairer but in my opinion, this initiative is yet another example of how interest-group politics is subverting the goals of a vast experiment in social engineering that already bestows preferential treatment on roughly half of India's billion-plus people.
The country's 1950 constitution, written three years after independence from Britain, established quotas for members of indigenous tribes and so-called untouchables, or dalits, because they do not even register in the caste hierarchy and consequently have suffered the greatest discrimination. India has come a long way since then and if there is a dispute, it is all about the pace, not about the progress. We have been having reservations from almost 60 years now and if the politicians believe it is still not making a difference it is time that one starts examining the premise of the model. But the irony of the situation is that Dr. Singh is distressed by the low representation of minorities, particularly Muslims...in the public and private sector and is giving serious thoughts about providing quotas in education and employment to them.
The quota system, in reality, has become a huge political enterprise- increasingly literally so, for the new bargain is for reservations in political power, as the Dr. Singh's proposal shows. Every political party is responsible for this crime on quality and merit. Reservation has become a political mindset. The victim is India: a nation is only as good as the people who manage it. Reservation ensures that India won't be managed by the best alone.
For more than half a century, India has maintained quotas for socially disadvantaged classes in government jobs, political bodies and educational institutions. Supporters say they are merely trying to make the system fairer but in my opinion, this initiative is yet another example of how interest-group politics is subverting the goals of a vast experiment in social engineering that already bestows preferential treatment on roughly half of India's billion-plus people.
The country's 1950 constitution, written three years after independence from Britain, established quotas for members of indigenous tribes and so-called untouchables, or dalits, because they do not even register in the caste hierarchy and consequently have suffered the greatest discrimination. India has come a long way since then and if there is a dispute, it is all about the pace, not about the progress. We have been having reservations from almost 60 years now and if the politicians believe it is still not making a difference it is time that one starts examining the premise of the model. But the irony of the situation is that Dr. Singh is distressed by the low representation of minorities, particularly Muslims...in the public and private sector and is giving serious thoughts about providing quotas in education and employment to them.
The quota system, in reality, has become a huge political enterprise- increasingly literally so, for the new bargain is for reservations in political power, as the Dr. Singh's proposal shows. Every political party is responsible for this crime on quality and merit. Reservation has become a political mindset. The victim is India: a nation is only as good as the people who manage it. Reservation ensures that India won't be managed by the best alone.
posted by Ravi Handa at 7/03/2004 04:36:00 PM
10 Comments:
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Reservations were meant to root out caste inequalities, and its sad that the only way they could figure to remove distinctions was by making columns for caste in each and every public form.
I am sure every minority group would have forgotten about their minority status if it wasnt for these forms to serve as constant reminders.
Have put up your bloglink on my roll. :) Though I'd let you know.
Cheers,
Sarika
somethings (quotas and politicians)won't change in India..Remember the saying about Dog's tail
Hye
Sarika, Amit ... Thankz
Schrodinger, Dead Right.
Hye,
If people keep agreeing with me, then I would have nothing else to say.. but
Thanks Pal,
Thanks Mudi....
[...]
a nation is only as good as the people who manage it.
[...]
And our nation happens to be a democracy. We choose the people who manage it. The people we elect represent us. We are at fault for electing such criminals and/or morons.
Nandz.
Dilemma reg. reservations.
X is eligible for reservation through some quota. But he is doesnt want it - either he's above all it or he dislike the system. So he goes through the open quota. This way, one seat in the open category goes is lost to someone who was eligible for reservation. And one seat in the reservation category goes to someone with lower merit.
What say?
Salil
http://donquixort.blogspot.com
Hey i feel the same:-) Also, I vehemently oppose reservation for women as the only ones who will benefit are the maas, patnis, behans, betis, buas and chachis of politicians.
Women can make it on their own :-)
Hey i feel the same:-) Also, I vehemently oppose reservation for women as the only ones who will benefit are the maas, patnis, behans, betis, buas and chachis of politicians.
Women can make it on their own :-)
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