Reservation Evil or Necessary evil
Reservation or quota system in India prevailing from colonial. British introduced it because of the demand from people and want to divide the nation. Reservation in India consists of measures such as reserving access to seats in the various legislation, to government jobs and to enrollment in higher education institutions.
Poona Pact and evolution of caste-based reservation.
Colonial rule in India introduced the caste-based representation in the legislature and reserved seats for depressed class. Gandhi Ji went on fast unto death in opposition of this but Ambedkar did not agree with Gandhi Ji. This ended with formally a document called “Poona Pact” on 24 September 1932 and provided the caste-based quota in the legislature. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar who belonged to a depressed class and suffered in the past because of his caste and ill-treated in society. He worked to uplift the depressed class. When he was the chairman of the drafting committee in constituent assembly introduced the clause of caste-based reservation for depressed class (STs-7.5% and SCs-15% ) to give fair representation and to improve their living standard.
“Mandal Commission” was set up in 1978 to look into the condition of backward class and suggest the measure for their betterment. The recommendation of the commission was implemented in 1990 which give 27% reservation to other backward classes in a government institution, education, and job.
Current Significance
It was the need of the hour after the colonial era to uplift the marginalized section of society and remove untouchability. Representation of deprived class was necessary so that they can fight for their rights, get proper education, able to claim jobs and do not lag behind the public on the path of development.
Today in this modern and digitized world, we still feel the presence of the caste divide because of this quota system. After 71 years of independence India still following this evil of reservation and caste system. The time has ripened to review this old practice and take the necessary step to terminate it or take a measure that will help the mass at large.
You could not just pass the burden of reservation on unreserved class because their ancestors enjoyed the fruit in the past.
As per the Mandal commission also, the policy should be reviewed after 10 years. Caste based system of reservation creating distress between communities and creating a gulf between population.
It has also ill effect on the economy as a whole. The real talent remains out of the system and this is disdain to their talent.
Need Reform
The actual benefit of this policy is not widespread and lower strata of the population are far behind. It is not the only backwardness in the reserved class people, backwardness and poverty spread uniformly in public at large so all people should get benefit irrespective of their caste. At that time also it was suggested to provide reservation on the economic basis not on caste by Nehru and Patel Ji.
Reservation should be completely abolished or change the way of assistance. The benefit should be provided on an economic basis, not on caste, give financial assistance to the needy people.
Economic basic is useful for the masses as today creamy layer among the reserved reap the benefit and lower strata remain the same as before. If the assistance is provided on an economic basis the whole population comes in its ambit and there is always a chance for the next to get benefited.
You cannot make a community happy at the cost of others. The benefit of the reservation should be given to the people who really deserve it and need to uplift their status and pull them out of poverty. In a modern way when India dream to become a world leader it cannot achieve by this level of poverty, illiteracy, poor representation. It needs a big political will and support of mass to reform it.
