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Can Quota bring parity in our society?
Made Popular Jun 5 2008
Why is Gujjar community agitating? Why does it need SC (Scheduled Caste) status so badly? We had thought that the caste wars are buried in the pages of history but no, they have taken centre stage again. Once upon a time, long time ago, India had suffered enough disparity because our society was divided on the basis of caste. But we did come a long way in bringing parity without the crutches of reservations. With high merits and skills no one is denied higher education or a post. But then why suddenly caste is back in focus? Why do we need reservation in higher education?
Today an educated urbanite doesn’t ponder on surnames before befriending or one is asked to specify caste or religion in any admission or job interview. A person is no longer marginalized due to caste (I am not talking of rural areas) in majority of geographical areas. We have a fantastic constitution which doesn’t deny right to education or right to livelihood to anyone on any grounds. If a person is indeed denied and deprived, there are other legal ways to address the issue.
In rural areas too, good community work with stress on proper education can help people get rid of binding shackles. Government has to reach rural areas with good primary and secondary education. Merit has to be built locally so that they can compete globally. Our primary aim should to be; remove superstition and caste prejudices and extend health and education benefits to all. After Independence many a planning commissions have come and many a five year plans have been made and much money has been sanctioned to various programs to uplift poor and marginalized communities. They have worked too, but sadly it seems one ever monitored, worked on them and got hundred percent results.
Reservation in higher educational institutions may be a calculated political gimmick. But one look at agitating communities and their desperation, it seems certainly caste status and quota is in great demand. So once again we are back to square one. Dividing and assigning castes.
Higher education needs merit which comes by good quality education and development of skills. Was it too difficult for the government to revamp our education system? Is it too difficult to find out what truly ails our education and the deprived communities who cannot reach the top?
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RSS 
Arpita Mukherjee
Jun 5 2008
Kolkata,
India
For every political party it is the number of votes that matter and even if that comes at the cost of fragmenting the Indian society. Reservation is here to remain as long as the country is ruled by selfish politicians.
Comment Link
(Local Perspectives)
It will not help out in nation development, but as Arpita mentioned the vote banks matters a lot to parties than a nation, these reservations is doing no goods for the nation today there are gujjars tomorrow there will be another one standing for reservations personally thinks that some strong law should be made to end this reservation process at least in job field so that the well qualified and capable person should get the benifits.
(Local Perspectives)
Quotas won’t help.... If it did, we would have been a developed nation by now. Meritorious general category students always have to suffer because of the reservations.. If the reservation system continues The able and the brainy would not stay in this country of ours.
(Local Perspectives)
The quota system was designed in order to bring parity in the society by our constitutional fathers who reserved a certain amount of government jobs and seats in various institutions (educational and others) so that the most backward of our society get a chance to improve their social status. Many castes and tribes were identified as such and were brought under a schedule that would recognise their status and give them special privileges than the others. This was a historic and significant move towards poverty and illiteracy alleviation and also to uplift living and social standards of the historically neglected and ill-treated sections of the society through practices as untouchability etc.
The fundamental fault about introducing such a system was that it was then not made mandatory that apart from those brought under the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes within the next few years, no other sections of the society can be included in the future. This left a huge playground for populist politics that we have been witnessing since then.
The best thing would have been to reserve 50% of all government jobs and seats in government and government aided institutions (educational and others) and 5 percent deduction being made mandatory every 5 years so that in the next 50 years we would have had no quota no reservations at all.
This has not happened. As we are seeing now, quota system has failed to bring parity within the society. Constant increment in this quota has in fact divided the society like nothing else.
The fundamental fault about introducing such a system was that it was then not made mandatory that apart from those brought under the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes within the next few years, no other sections of the society can be included in the future. This left a huge playground for populist politics that we have been witnessing since then.
The best thing would have been to reserve 50% of all government jobs and seats in government and government aided institutions (educational and others) and 5 percent deduction being made mandatory every 5 years so that in the next 50 years we would have had no quota no reservations at all.
This has not happened. As we are seeing now, quota system has failed to bring parity within the society. Constant increment in this quota has in fact divided the society like nothing else.
(Local Perspectives)
The best thing would have been to reserve 50% of all government jobs and seats in government and government aided institutions (educational and others) and 5 percent deduction being made mandatory every 5 years so that in the next 50 years we would have had no quota no reservations at all.
Completely agree. Now if there are quotas from 2010, it should be purely on the basis of economical conditions and nothing else.
(Local Perspectives)
Is not the quota system ironical? It actually negates the Constitutional guarantee that no Indian citizen would be discriminated on the base of caste creed or religion. So what makes the Supreme Court of India interpret the government of the day's policy of increasing the reservation quota, not only for the SC/STs but also including OBCs, MOBc etc, otherwise? According to me this is completely illegal. I am sure millions of other Indians think the way I do.
(Local Perspectives)
I think India is the only country in this world that has such an absurd system in place. In eastern Uttar Pradesh I have seen Brahmins who are considered to be the highest in the obsolete caste system India had living in extremely poor conditions. They send their children to school so that they can bring home mid-day meals that they get there. No livelihood, nothing. Living of begging. On the other hand people from so-called lower castes have flourishing business and vast tracts of agricultural land holding powerful political positions or having the backup of powerful politicians enjoying the benefits under the quota system like getting petrol pump or LPG cylinder allocations. This is unfair and criminal.
(Local Perspectives)
This can never bring parity in our society. India's road to future civil war is being cleared by these politicians. Take for example the Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla is a super rich man who can talk in fluent English. Most of the Gujjars we saw on TV appear to be well-fed, well dressed and educated. Why the hell do they need to be included in the ST category? Such baseless, politically motivated and criminal agitations should be banned and brutally crushed. I have no tears for those Gujjars killed during the agitation. My only regret is that the casualty numbers don't run into the hundreds.
(Local Perspectives)
Reservation would bring parity. You must be kidding! LOL
Hang on. Reservations were designed precisely for that, isn't it? To bring parity in the Indian society between the rich and affluent and the poor and downtrodden.
Hang on again plz.
Was it designed to bring parity between the respect a Brahmin or a Shudra gets in society?
Balls!
Hang on. Reservations were designed precisely for that, isn't it? To bring parity in the Indian society between the rich and affluent and the poor and downtrodden.
Hang on again plz.
Was it designed to bring parity between the respect a Brahmin or a Shudra gets in society?
Balls!
(Local Perspectives)
NEVER
Do we commonly have inter-caste marriages even after 60 years since Independence? Look at the matrimonial sites and classified in the newspapers and magazines. You would find brides seeking grooms and grooms seeking brides only from their communities though aberrations are always there.
Even today Brahmin do religious duties like carrying out religious rites of other castes. What happens then when someone from the Scheduled Castes is marrying their kids or getting a family members dead body cremated? Why do they seek Brahmins? Why can't they carry out those rituals themselves? Why don't they build their own temples and start becoming priests?
This is just opportunistic politics and nothing else.
Do we commonly have inter-caste marriages even after 60 years since Independence? Look at the matrimonial sites and classified in the newspapers and magazines. You would find brides seeking grooms and grooms seeking brides only from their communities though aberrations are always there.
Even today Brahmin do religious duties like carrying out religious rites of other castes. What happens then when someone from the Scheduled Castes is marrying their kids or getting a family members dead body cremated? Why do they seek Brahmins? Why can't they carry out those rituals themselves? Why don't they build their own temples and start becoming priests?
This is just opportunistic politics and nothing else.
(Local Perspectives)
Yes it can bring parity in our society. But we have to do two things first. Allow our children to marry people from other castes. This is specially relevant for those who oppose reservations. This would create a mixed breed who would be outside any caste-based quota system. Then in the next 20-30 years we can hope to have a economical situation-based quota system. Then we can hope to have parity.
(Local Perspectives)
It won't bring parity in the society. It will however do the following:
+ Dilute standards in prestigious institutes
+ Churn out mediocre professionals
+ Create more unemployment
+ Divide the country
+ Dilute standards in prestigious institutes
+ Churn out mediocre professionals
+ Create more unemployment
+ Divide the country
(Local Perspectives)
The quota system is implemented by the Hindus to play politics and repent for their sins against Harijans who were not even touched by upper caste Hindus. Those oppressed and wrong against who became Muslims don't enjoy such privileges. This shows the double standards of the Hindus who rule the country and kill Muslims. India calls itself democracy where everyone is equal. There is no equality between Hindus and Hindus. There is no equality between Hindus and Muslims.
(Global Perspectives)
No, not at all. Rather, quota system will further divide the society. Indian society is today suffering from the sticky quagmire of unbreakable gap between the have and have-nots. Hence, it is high time for government to identify people who are economically backward and provide them special preference. My point here is quota based on economy, not caste.
(Local Perspectives)
dear,
it might be disheartning to know that the GUJJARS are NOT asking for SCHEDULE CASTE status but they WANT SCHEDULE TRIBE STATUS...
”YOU NEED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK MORE SERIOUSLY....”
reservation has many facets..
foremost being EQUALITY....which is very mush linked with SOCIAL JUSTICE...
AS A COMMUNITY it is a sizable amount of people who are asking for reservation.....
the issue that must be addressed here is not if reseration is necessary or not but...why do we need reservation in the first instance...
JOHN RAWLS has argued that to make a society more better off, the weakest link has to be strengthened first....an’ this process must continue so that we keep moving qualitatively to a better position(as society)..
therefore the problem here in india is social,political and economical...one detatched from other is lopsided and bound to fail to deliever the desired results...the gujjars like many other communities are politically awake but on the socio-economical side they lag behind.. this may happen to any community ...therefore they seek reservation ....
quota based on ecoomy!!!! how do you justify people who squander their money????????whether drinking,gambling,speculation,etc...
do they need help from society ...what are the chances that they will not do it again to gain access to easy money(or benifits)......
ita a fundamental structural problem....and there is no JUST SOLUTION at the moment.. thats what i feel.
it might be disheartning to know that the GUJJARS are NOT asking for SCHEDULE CASTE status but they WANT SCHEDULE TRIBE STATUS...
”YOU NEED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK MORE SERIOUSLY....”
reservation has many facets..
foremost being EQUALITY....which is very mush linked with SOCIAL JUSTICE...
AS A COMMUNITY it is a sizable amount of people who are asking for reservation.....
the issue that must be addressed here is not if reseration is necessary or not but...why do we need reservation in the first instance...
JOHN RAWLS has argued that to make a society more better off, the weakest link has to be strengthened first....an’ this process must continue so that we keep moving qualitatively to a better position(as society)..
therefore the problem here in india is social,political and economical...one detatched from other is lopsided and bound to fail to deliever the desired results...the gujjars like many other communities are politically awake but on the socio-economical side they lag behind.. this may happen to any community ...therefore they seek reservation ....
quota based on ecoomy!!!! how do you justify people who squander their money????????whether drinking,gambling,speculation,etc...
do they need help from society ...what are the chances that they will not do it again to gain access to easy money(or benifits)......
ita a fundamental structural problem....and there is no JUST SOLUTION at the moment.. thats what i feel.
(Local Perspectives)
Such a lot has already been said there is not much left for me to say.
Caste system has infact underlined the disparity that it was originally supposed to have erased. Moreover now the meritorious lot who are suffering because of the reservations whether be it job or any thing else.
Caste system has infact underlined the disparity that it was originally supposed to have erased. Moreover now the meritorious lot who are suffering because of the reservations whether be it job or any thing else.
(Local Perspectives)
There should be no place for quota on the basis of castes. Its a question worth asking if 60 years of showering affection and showing concern to these downtrodden (such impression still is very much valid) wasn’t enough, and if it isn’t enough then for how long, the millions who are not so dear to these politicians, have to suffer?
(Local Perspectives)
Only the physically and mentally challenged individuals truly deserve quotas.
Quotas based on all other criteria be it caste, gender, VIP, management etc. etc. are meaningless.
Quotas based on all other criteria be it caste, gender, VIP, management etc. etc. are meaningless.
(Local Perspectives)
No, there is no proof that it would. Forget about parity. It’s rather bringing disparity. Before the reservation, one needs to ask do we need quota to bring parity when we have constitution to protect the right of equality, irrespective of gender, cast or color consideration. After 60 years of Indian independence, quota failed to bridge the differences. Govt. needs to think beyond the quota politics as it is not wise to keep talent deprived off the opportunities that they deserve. This will prove major hurdle in the development of the nation
(Local Perspectives)
Quota will bring parity??? Are you crazy? This is the vote bank politics. Our so called leaders are interested in their vote bank and never in the development of the nation. Beside quota policy, there can be so many other ways that govt. can consider to bring equality i.e. providing free education, helping them with the books and food, giving scholarship… do whatever, except quota, to help them but keep opportunities open for all.
(Local Perspectives)
Quota means saying no to the talent. I am one of those who have faced this. This is strange that a person, who has all the capabilities and abilities, is kept outside and those who do not deserve at all, have been bestowed with the opportunity? I want to ask does it make a sense?? And no sane mind, except those who are benefitted with it, will argue in favor of this. And irony becomes graver when it is more political and less reform intended.
(Local Perspectives)
We are intending to put all the disparities and the cast bar off the stream. But alas!! cast blot on our society is not going to end as long as the quota and the like will keep striking us on the daily basis. I agree there has been gross injustice with these people in the past, but quota is not a balm to those wounds. On the other side, quota is generally, more often if not always, based on the cast and not on the basis of the income. There are so many upper cast people who are living below the poverty line, but deprived of quota. In such a case, how quota will be a mean to bring the equality.
(Local Perspectives)
Reservation!!! Let me first make it clear that I am not a beneficiary. It may seem awkward to you all here, but I argue in favor of quota. Yes, quota not based on the caste but economic backwardness and never for the creamy layers. If this is not possible for our so called reformers of the nation, abolish it. Since it has failed to, and will always remain the same, bring equality so far. We don’t want it. Try something else. May be that will click.
(Local Perspectives)
Anything that segragates can never bring about parity... quotas are really dumb and I’d really wish that the kinda money spent on having quota bills and debates tabled in the Parliament would be directed towards increasing the number of seats in the coveted higher education institutions... as for you Farhan... I’d really love to hear what the Pakistani government has done for the commom muslim in your country... you guys are just one step from being a failed state... so you can really shut your pie hole and keep your Islamic propaganda to yourself...
(Local Perspectives)
The muslims say that they are not devided but there are Shia Sunni fights everywhere and how can you say that Hindus kill Muslims? We are a tolerant lot. We were the first people to have introduced the concept of Hindu Muslim Bhai Bhai and even today we intend to do so provided you guys reciprocate.
(Local Perspectives)
I tried correcting SC status mentioned in the article to ST but couldn’t due to some technical glitch.Sorry for the slip-up. But it doesn’t change the basic premise of my question. Thanks to all for thinking aloud along my chain of thoughts. Somewhere either citizens or judiciary should intervene and stop politicians running this country on the lines of their greed. Unfortunately good governence and parity never figure in their agendas.
(Local Perspectives)
There is so much of disparity in india society that no amount of reservation would be able to bridge that..Reservation is around for more than 50 years now and still there many sections of reservation lot that still struggle for two square of meals..
(Local Perspectives)