WHAT IS THE RESERVATION POLICY OF INDIA? Reservation policy was introduced in 1906 to rectify the social injustice among the people of backward classes. The major initiation on reservation policy has been made for scheduled castes, and scheduled tribes after 1947, in 1980 OBC was added, and 10% quota was added for the poor (EWS – Economically Weaker Section) in 2019. Reservation was to make up for the injustices of the caste system. But today it has created a social division of its own. Reservation has given birth to a new kind of structural crisis. Certain seats have become untouchable. The constant increase of quota is nothing short of oppression, it is punishment for those born into the non-reserved category. The current system of reservation violates every sense of justice, equality, and merit. Reservation was meant to accommodate people do not leave them out.
WHAT IS SOCIAL JUSTICE? Social justice includes equal access to opportunities, human rights, and the benefit of growth regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, or socioeconomic position. It promotes the dignity of all people. In the world of work that means decent jobs, fair wages, labor rights, dialogue as well as equality and social protection for all.
ADVANTAGES OF RESERVATION:
Reservation has lent upliftment to the backward classes after independence. Reservation made sure that everyone was equal, and no one was left out due to their low caste. Reservation was about creating a level plain field.
DISADVANTAGES OF RESERVATION:
The reason why India has the worst bureaucracy in Asia is because here people are selected not based on their merit but based on their caste. Reservations like EWS and PWD are crucial, but all others are promoting inequalities. Today in most government schools at least 50% of the seats are reserved. The growing percentage of reservations is eating into dreams. It is becoming a nightmare for those in the unreserved category.
Caste is a permanent attribute of a tribe and neither change with one’s social or financial status. So, on what basis are we reserving seats for certain castes and tribes? Yes, they may have been backward during independence, but it’s been more than 70 years. India has changed.
WHY WAS RESERVATION POLICY INTRODUCED IN INDIA?
In 1951 after the independence of India it was found that only 18.33% of Indians were literate and around 80% of Indians were poor so India legalized caste-based reservation. The idea was to uplift certain pockets of society and put them on the same level as others. Seats were reserved for certain communities at schools, jobs, and legislatures. The arrangement was supposed to end in 10 years, but 70 years have passed now.
IS RESERVATION POLICY STILL NEEDED IN INDIA?
Now in India, the rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. India still needs to develop and reduce the rate of literacy. Yes, India still needs a reservation policy but not based on caste and religion but rather based on economic background. Reservation should be provided to those who genuinely require it. Now the people of lower caste and tribal communities have been achieving a lot. There are a lot of people in tribal communities who are in a better-off position so they don’t need reservations. Financially weak people, physically weak, people who are struggling to get 2 meals per day, and people who are deprived of basic facilities to sustain life should be entitled to the reservation because they need it.
Now reservation is harming India not helping it. India’s reservation policy doesn’t help in the progress of India. India’s reservation policy is out of date. Reservation should be available for only the first generation. why reservation benefits should be available to those who are not deprived, they are taking away the opportunity of one of their caste men who is genuinely deprived.
IS POLITICS INVOLVED IN RESERVATION POLICY?
Over the years Indian laws have changed too but there’s no amendment in the reservation policy. Perhaps it’s politics. Reservation makes a cameo in every major election in India. One side promises more quota, another side champions equality. Reservation is used for vote bank politics. Reservation stereotypes certain sections of an SC ST student no matter how meritorious is always viewed through the lens of quota. His/her achievements are always attributed to quota. Reservation is divisive. A person who misses out on a college seat because of reservation is bound to hold her grudges against the reserved category. This helps politicians divide and rule. But it doesn’t help the voters, the students, the job seekers.
CONCLUSION:
Reservation has benefited the backward classes but now it’s high time to amend the reservation policies so that the people who are now truly poor can be benefited. The reservation system is indeed a complex topic. While some individuals from reserved categories may have the means, it’s important to remember that reservations were initially intended to uplift those who faced historical and societal disadvantages. Over time, discussions have emerged about refining these policies to ensure they reach those truly in need while addressing disparities within the system. Balancing fairness and equal opportunities for all remains a challenge. The concept of a creamy layer within SC/ST categories has been debated for a while. It’s aimed at ensuring that reservation benefits reach those who genuinely require them. Implementing this idea could potentially enhance the efficacy of reservations by directing aid to those who need it most while encouraging socio-economic progress within these communities.
A consistent, well-researched approach to identifying the creamy layer within these communities is essential to address disparities and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the necessary support. However, balancing administrative efficiency and the need for equitable opportunities often requires a nuanced approach, considering various factors specific to each group. Limiting reservations to one generation is an interesting perspective and could potentially encourage faster socio-economic growth within communities.
However, it’s important to assess the long-term effects and the impact on sustained progress. The intention behind reservations is to address historical inequalities, and any policy changes should aim at striking a balance between rectifying past injustices and ensuring equal opportunities for all without perpetuating dependency on reservations. Finding this balance is crucial for societal harmony and progress.
