Reservation System in India
The reservation system is an approach designed by our Constitution makers at the time of Independence. It was constructed for ten years to benefit those communities left behind in development and provide them with a level playing field.
But now, it is neither contributing to national development nor individual growth. It is just contributing to increasing the vote bank of the political parties.
For example, the Congress government has promised 75% reservations in Karnataka for the upcoming 2024 elections.
The government has created a vicious cycle through the reservation system. The one we often ignore because we are very lost in admiring reservations provided by the government.
The government often gives reservations to specific communities, and this is increasing year on year. Earlier, a 50% cap was put on reservations. But now, it is almost 60% at the central level, and states are aspiring even higher than that. For instance, Tamil Nadu has 69% reservations.
In my opinion, the reservations are just like the separate electorates for backward communities. Gandhiji was against those because he knew separate electorates would divide the society further. That is why Poona Pact 1932 happened.
The same goes for the reserved seats too. When you are separating seats for a community, you are differentiating them from the rest. Then, how do you expect equality to forge in and find its place?
Now the question is why the party in rule always increases the percentage of reservations. Is it for the benefit of the communities left behind? Does it benefit those communities?
WHY GOVT INCREASE IN RESERVATIONS?
The simple answer to this is: for votes.
Government promises some communities reservations in their election manifestos for votes, which compels the people of those communities to vote for that party. And they feel that the government is doing something for the enhancement of different sections of society.
IS IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE COMMUNITIES?
If you look at it directly, it will appear beneficial for them. After all, they get a chance at education.
But on a deeper level, it is not!
The government is just giving reservations under the guise that they are doing something for the development of such communities. But in reality, it does not lead to development.
In reality, the government only guarantees them seats in govt educational institutions. But sufficient education for cracking the exam for the same institution is not given. It does not lead to their intellectual development the way it should before entering that institution.
HOW THIS SYSTEM BRINGS INEFFICIENCY ?
These college students, further, enter jobs. Because of 60–70% reservations, the corporations and government jobs get filled by people who didn’t get there through merit. Due to the knowledge gap, the whole workplace system becomes inefficient, affecting India as a whole.
HOW GOVT FOOL US IN THE NAME OF RESERVATION?
The money we pay as tax is not coming about to develop public schools.
It is like we are being given reservations as a kind of payment for not demanding the growth of public schools. And as we are witless, we feel content with just a few reserved seats.
The funds we give to the government should be employed to develop government schools so that those who cannot afford private schools can depend on these schools for their education or preparation for competitive exams.
Instead of accepting the reservations, we should demand the development of public schools.
How ironic and unnerving is it that the education level of competitive exams to enter government colleges is not even good in government schools?
The Rising Problems in Indian Government School (urbanpro.com)
HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT ABLE TO FOOL US SO EASILY?
It is because the false perception presented by the government has blinded us. Either that or we are too satisfied by it to consider the other prospects.
We should not be content with the seats because what is the meaning of those places if the government does not provide the education required to reach there?
HOW IS THE REMOVAL OF RESERVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS GOING TO HELP US?
First, due to reservations, the cut-off criteria (the range of rank or marks required for entrance to government colleges in India) is lowered for backward communities. This process allows such people into the institution who don’t even fulfil the criteria. For example, the cut-off for PWD class in exams is nearly 1%, and the cut-off for general goes 60–70 times high. It does not provide a level-playing field for everyone.
Second, improving education in public schools will ensure that every person (even those who cannot afford private schools) has an equal shot at cracking a competitive exam.
Third, people would not have to go to coaching for their preparation, and those who have transformed education into business (iykyk) will cease to exist.
Fourth, when every person passing through the education system is meritorious, it will bring forth efficiency in Indian corporations and government jobs.
All in all, there would get a level playing field to enter an institution through merit.
So, instead of demanding more reservations for the lower classes, demand good quality education and infrastructure from the government.
Reservation is not a right, but good quality education is!
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I hope you liked the article!
(I want to make it clear that I am not against education for the backward classes, but reservations is not the right way to go.)
If your views differ, the comment section is all yours!
