National Security
Reservations
Dt: 1/2/16
Reservations
Dr T.H.Chowdary*
The respected chief of the RSS , Sri Mohanji Bhagwat said in a recent talk that reservations ( presentably based on caste) should continue till disparities/ inequalities exist. This view is rather astounding; firstly because there never was a period in the history of mankind, in all the counties of the world when there was no inequality or discrimination among sections of people in terms economic or social status. All reforms and struggles of people had been and are to reduce the inequalities and disabilities. Constitutionally provided reservations in India are to hasten the diminution of inequalities and disabilities imposed for long on some sections.
2. Dr. Ambedkar and our learned constitution creators put Article 21(A) which directed compulsory, free education to be imparted to all children between ages six and fourteen years as education is the great enabler and leveller of inequalities. Not ten, but, sixty five years are past and yet we don’t even have elementary literacy for all.
3. Be that as it may, should not the nation set a sunset year by which the need for reservation would cease and to achieve that goal, should not the wise suggest what measures should be taken and what landmarks shall be achieved by what year?
The benefit of reservations can be had by many more people if they are limited to two in a family and for two generations only. The limit for two would also promote limited family size.
4. What we are witnessing is competition backed by political parties, among various castes among Hindus and even among Muslims and Christians , clamour and militant/strident movements to claim backwardness, more backwardness, extra-ordinary backwardness and even sub-categorisation among the same caste-groups. The reservation issue is also leading to the creation of state-owned caste and religion specific Finance Corporations for financial assistance to different caste groups. The politically driven competition to be backward for getting privileges and preferences for some castes is now extending to States which are
competing to claim “special status” on the strength of backwardness and non-development. Reservations and caste are also unfortunately becoming matters for discontent and militant agitations in universities. The traditionally divisive and non-Indian ideology-driven “eminent” intellectuals ensconced in some universities and historically intolerant groups harvesting Indians for their faith are using certain depressed sections as vanguard for their assault on people of indigenous faiths and belief systems.
5. We are therefore engaged in the perpetuation of caste identities and attributes and entitlements, not by any religion or Dharma but by a secular, socialist republican state and its governments. While there are thunderous speeches and flowery essays and poetry, calling for the annihilation of caste, the political mobilisations in its name, are only leading to strengthening and perpetuation of castes. Is this not unfortunate?
6. Can caste be annihilated by legislation? Can we legislate and enforce inter-caste ( even inter religious and inter-racial, and inter-language) marriages ? Are we not witnessing more and more out-of-caste marriages among I.T and other professionals and such ones more in cities than in villages? Would not rapid urbanisation, education and professional employment lead to reduction in cultural and other social disparities and therefore out-side the caste, outside the race and religion marriages and therefore would not the caste barriers fall and progress towards a less divisive polity made?
7. Let the wise in the nation devise programmes that would overcome divisions and discriminations and strife among our people. Can we make a start with reservations in various positions in the hierarchies of political parties ( eg: Polit Bureau, Central Committees; working committees, vice-presidents, general secretaries etc) and religions (Bishops, Arch-Bishops, Cardinals) and among employees of institutions ( like schools, hospitals) run by religion-based organisations? That would be a good beginning an d test of the sincerity of political parties and their leaders in their professions of commitment to annihilation of caste and progress towards a casteless and just society. A sun-set date for end of reservations and devising programmes to achieve the goal and vigorous implementation of them is what, all patriots must pursue. (677 words)
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