More quota to pull India back
The recently announced proposal of the Indian government to give about 50% reservations to OBCs (Other Backward Castes) in premier technical and management institutions across the country shows how low our politicians can swoop down to tether the future of our country. What this means, in layman terms, is that the IITs, IIMs, RECs and other top institutions will be accessible to only 50% of the total number of students who deserve to be there.
This ugly system of reservations was first brought into force when I was in class 9th or 10th. At that time I hardly understood what it all meant and what impact it had on my or my country's future. I remember there were wide spread protests then; many students committed suicide by immolating themselves in full public view, but for our politicians the subject was a vote vending machine. The protests faded away with time. Several young men lost their lives, several lost the jobs they deserved and several others lost their future to short-sighted whimsical decision made by a selfish government. Today again the ghost of reservations has returned to haunt Indian students, thanks to dirty politics played by the people in power.
I am not against upliftment of the down-trodden and firmly believe that they who do not have the means to rise and compete with those who have the means, should be supported and encouraged to elevate their standard of living. But on what basis do you decide who is down-trodden and who is not? Based on one's caste or based on one's economic status? Today, people who belong to castes were placed lower in the then caste system hierarchy of the traditional Indian society, are controling several states. Many of them are rich, some very rich, but they get to reap benifits of reservation system. Many upper caste families continue to live a middle class life, some even poor or below the poverty line. Who will provide justice to their existence?
The government does not propose any way to exclude the financially sound backward caste families from the reservation system. In fact, it will be these rich section amongst the OBCs that will actually benifit from quota system. The poor will continue to bite the dust.
IITs and IIMs have a reputation to live up to. These institutions seek for the best of Indian talent and subject them to rigorous, gruelling curriculum, to build up a strong foundation for our country. Most wild-card entry candidates will not be able to get through the courses in IITs and IIMs. How will a professor discuss advanced and complex topics, in any domain, with a class where only 50% students will be capable of living up to his/her expectations? The quality of lectures and exams will have to go down to accommodate the remaining 50% of class composition. The same is true for medical institutions also. Will any politician agree to get operated upon by a doctor who got his seat riding on the quota system boat?
Why does the government not provide reservations in armed forces or the police? Why not give reservations to the exetent of 50% in the parliament? And perhaps even to ministerial portfolios at the centre and state? Why target the most prestigious institutions?
Recently the government imposed education cess for providing schools and infrastruture for education for the deprived. I have never heard about any actions being taken to meet this objective. But the government is quick in choosing the easiest path that will help get votes. Once a quota is granted, it is impossible to roll it back. Any government that attempts to do so will loose precious votes for ever.
Giving reservatoins is like snatching away the loaf of bread from one hungry person and giving it to another. I only hope that some day common sense will prevail among the government of India.
This ugly system of reservations was first brought into force when I was in class 9th or 10th. At that time I hardly understood what it all meant and what impact it had on my or my country's future. I remember there were wide spread protests then; many students committed suicide by immolating themselves in full public view, but for our politicians the subject was a vote vending machine. The protests faded away with time. Several young men lost their lives, several lost the jobs they deserved and several others lost their future to short-sighted whimsical decision made by a selfish government. Today again the ghost of reservations has returned to haunt Indian students, thanks to dirty politics played by the people in power.
I am not against upliftment of the down-trodden and firmly believe that they who do not have the means to rise and compete with those who have the means, should be supported and encouraged to elevate their standard of living. But on what basis do you decide who is down-trodden and who is not? Based on one's caste or based on one's economic status? Today, people who belong to castes were placed lower in the then caste system hierarchy of the traditional Indian society, are controling several states. Many of them are rich, some very rich, but they get to reap benifits of reservation system. Many upper caste families continue to live a middle class life, some even poor or below the poverty line. Who will provide justice to their existence?
The government does not propose any way to exclude the financially sound backward caste families from the reservation system. In fact, it will be these rich section amongst the OBCs that will actually benifit from quota system. The poor will continue to bite the dust.
IITs and IIMs have a reputation to live up to. These institutions seek for the best of Indian talent and subject them to rigorous, gruelling curriculum, to build up a strong foundation for our country. Most wild-card entry candidates will not be able to get through the courses in IITs and IIMs. How will a professor discuss advanced and complex topics, in any domain, with a class where only 50% students will be capable of living up to his/her expectations? The quality of lectures and exams will have to go down to accommodate the remaining 50% of class composition. The same is true for medical institutions also. Will any politician agree to get operated upon by a doctor who got his seat riding on the quota system boat?
Why does the government not provide reservations in armed forces or the police? Why not give reservations to the exetent of 50% in the parliament? And perhaps even to ministerial portfolios at the centre and state? Why target the most prestigious institutions?
Recently the government imposed education cess for providing schools and infrastruture for education for the deprived. I have never heard about any actions being taken to meet this objective. But the government is quick in choosing the easiest path that will help get votes. Once a quota is granted, it is impossible to roll it back. Any government that attempts to do so will loose precious votes for ever.
Giving reservatoins is like snatching away the loaf of bread from one hungry person and giving it to another. I only hope that some day common sense will prevail among the government of India.
posted by Piyush Srivastava at
9:40 AM
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