Humans are social beings, pack animals. They like to thrive together in a pack or group. As human kind progressed, the groups needed some kind of identification. This identification of the group gradually started getting based on the unique quality of the group. And, the castes hence formed.
Castes were identities people associated with. There is enough evidence to prove the socio-economic gap between the different castes that prevailed.
When India gained independence from the British, it wasn't an independence of the mind. To bridge the social and economic gaps within the society some reform was needed. Since caste formed the very basis of the inequality between the people, it was selected as the ground for the reservation system as well.
We have come a long way since independence. Economically as well as socially.
Let us have a look at the current caste based reservations provided in India as of today
Currently there is reservation provided for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes in government jobs as well as educational institutions.
There is also state based reservation where the state decides to give reservation to certain sects in state government jobs as well as educational institutions.
The reservation is not completely social. It does include an economic factor. There is a limit on the income beyond which caste certificates are not issued.
There is also a restriction on the designation for issuing caste certificates.
So where is the problem?
The reservations when quantified in terms of seats in institutions and government jobs becomes an issue, as when compared proportionally to the population of general and reserved caste, it may not seem fair.
Moreover, for the same seats in the same place the minimum score/profile required varies a lot between general vs reserved category.
People feel violated as with even more than twice the marks it is difficult to enter the same college/job as the reserved candidate.
India has a huge population, institutes are less, jobs are less, competition is high.
The most valid argument is the depreciation in quality of candidates due to reservation. Many deserving candidates do not get the chance they feel they are entitled to if not for reservation.
Why must they pay for something done years back by some one generations back?
Feels right.
Are we completely ignorant towards the demerits of the system?
Not really.
In 2007, the Government of Uttar Pradesh introduced reservation in job promotions. However, citing the Supreme Court decision, the policy was ruled to be unconstitutional by the Allahabad High Court in 2011.[18] The decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, which upheld it in 2012 by rejecting the government's argument because it failed to furnish sufficient valid data to justify the move to promote employees on a caste basis[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservation_in_India#cite_note-19]
The system is not completely oblivious to the plight of people. They certainly do not want people to take advantage of the system for political gains.
Let us look at some current facts about the people from the reserved category and their current status.
Personal opinion
Caste based reservation is a way to compensate for what should've been done by now but hasn't.
The earlier discriminations in the society which resulted in the huge disparity between upper and lower castes should've vanished by now, but, it hasn't. Now most people living in the metros who generally get the chance to speak up and use the internet to voice their thoughts will disagree, they will say they haven't seen untouchability or have not discriminated anyone based on caste.
Let us see how this affects the genrations till today.
Equal opportunities. While most people from the upper castes already had a stable social circle and income, the same opportunities were opened up very late for the other people. Its same as China and India opening up to FDI. They were a step ahead and a step earlier. Ideally to cover this gap up, regions with majority reserved castes needed more education and development, however, Jharkhand, Bihar, UP, West Bengal still lack the basic education system.
A lot of people do have access to schools and understand the value of education, however, for going to the same school the parents of the scheduled castes might have had to take loan. While the social circles of general people will be developed and elite, the relatives will be almost equal, same may not be true for the reserved people.
Usually, even after understanding the value of education, the family may be able to afford the education of only one child.
This might be true for non reserved category as well.
Moving on, while the student from general category will look up for examples in their family or social circle, they will find almost everyone pursuing masters or pursuing their dreams, they will be aware of all the opportunities and can make an informed decision, as that is the normal thing to do. It is not too much.
A reserved category student, even if has the economic side, may not find the right examples to follow, or might feel obligated to give returns on the money invested on him for his education.
When he looks back , he will not have a strong family background to boast about or to support his aspirations. Parents are happy with a mere high school or graduation degree as that was something out of reach for them. Hence psychologically motivating the person to give up soon and settle for less. Reservation paves a way to bridge this social gap which otherwise might continue to widen.
There is no property most of the times to bank upon as most of the reserved people were involved in menial daily wages jobs. The accumulated property while doesn't show up provides a cushion for more risks.
It is indeed still a privilege to be born in a family that has a strong background, definitely it may not be all caste based anymore, but a lot has to be done to bridge the gap that already exists.
Let's look at it this way, the tax paid by all states are not equal. The center's allocation of funds is in proportion to the needs of the state and not proportional to the amount of tax paid by the state. Why?
Because we are a country. If we begin to question the very basis of a country holding together and moving ahead together we might as well be moving towards aristocracy.
There was a time when it was important to protect India's economy from the world's economy. There was a time when steel, railways, defense were not open to foreign investments or privatization. The way space programs are now moving towards privatization in more developed countries, we are moving towards privatizing some of our major industries. In good time the caste based reservation will no longer be needed. But it isn't magically going to happen. Neither will it happen if politicians with vested interests continue exploiting the system. Like most major changes, it will be gradual and over the time. One of the most effective ways to speed it up is strengthening the roots while still a shoot.
The cut offs in colleges for reserved students increases each year as well. However for both the cut offs to become equal, the approach towards reservation needs to be reviewed.
The hindrances have to be identified and solutions need to be implemented at the right places.
references : https://www.epw.in/engage-interactives/busting-myths-on-caste-based-reservation-policies.html
Castes were identities people associated with. There is enough evidence to prove the socio-economic gap between the different castes that prevailed.
When India gained independence from the British, it wasn't an independence of the mind. To bridge the social and economic gaps within the society some reform was needed. Since caste formed the very basis of the inequality between the people, it was selected as the ground for the reservation system as well.
We have come a long way since independence. Economically as well as socially.
Let us have a look at the current caste based reservations provided in India as of today
Currently there is reservation provided for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes in government jobs as well as educational institutions.
There is also state based reservation where the state decides to give reservation to certain sects in state government jobs as well as educational institutions.
The reservation is not completely social. It does include an economic factor. There is a limit on the income beyond which caste certificates are not issued.
There is also a restriction on the designation for issuing caste certificates.
So where is the problem?
The reservations when quantified in terms of seats in institutions and government jobs becomes an issue, as when compared proportionally to the population of general and reserved caste, it may not seem fair.
Moreover, for the same seats in the same place the minimum score/profile required varies a lot between general vs reserved category.
People feel violated as with even more than twice the marks it is difficult to enter the same college/job as the reserved candidate.
India has a huge population, institutes are less, jobs are less, competition is high.
The most valid argument is the depreciation in quality of candidates due to reservation. Many deserving candidates do not get the chance they feel they are entitled to if not for reservation.
Why must they pay for something done years back by some one generations back?
Feels right.
Are we completely ignorant towards the demerits of the system?
Not really.
In 2007, the Government of Uttar Pradesh introduced reservation in job promotions. However, citing the Supreme Court decision, the policy was ruled to be unconstitutional by the Allahabad High Court in 2011.[18] The decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, which upheld it in 2012 by rejecting the government's argument because it failed to furnish sufficient valid data to justify the move to promote employees on a caste basis[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservation_in_India#cite_note-19]
The system is not completely oblivious to the plight of people. They certainly do not want people to take advantage of the system for political gains.
Let us look at some current facts about the people from the reserved category and their current status.
Personal opinion
Caste based reservation is a way to compensate for what should've been done by now but hasn't.
The earlier discriminations in the society which resulted in the huge disparity between upper and lower castes should've vanished by now, but, it hasn't. Now most people living in the metros who generally get the chance to speak up and use the internet to voice their thoughts will disagree, they will say they haven't seen untouchability or have not discriminated anyone based on caste.
Let us see how this affects the genrations till today.
Equal opportunities. While most people from the upper castes already had a stable social circle and income, the same opportunities were opened up very late for the other people. Its same as China and India opening up to FDI. They were a step ahead and a step earlier. Ideally to cover this gap up, regions with majority reserved castes needed more education and development, however, Jharkhand, Bihar, UP, West Bengal still lack the basic education system.
A lot of people do have access to schools and understand the value of education, however, for going to the same school the parents of the scheduled castes might have had to take loan. While the social circles of general people will be developed and elite, the relatives will be almost equal, same may not be true for the reserved people.
Usually, even after understanding the value of education, the family may be able to afford the education of only one child.
This might be true for non reserved category as well.
Moving on, while the student from general category will look up for examples in their family or social circle, they will find almost everyone pursuing masters or pursuing their dreams, they will be aware of all the opportunities and can make an informed decision, as that is the normal thing to do. It is not too much.
A reserved category student, even if has the economic side, may not find the right examples to follow, or might feel obligated to give returns on the money invested on him for his education.
When he looks back , he will not have a strong family background to boast about or to support his aspirations. Parents are happy with a mere high school or graduation degree as that was something out of reach for them. Hence psychologically motivating the person to give up soon and settle for less. Reservation paves a way to bridge this social gap which otherwise might continue to widen.
There is no property most of the times to bank upon as most of the reserved people were involved in menial daily wages jobs. The accumulated property while doesn't show up provides a cushion for more risks.
It is indeed still a privilege to be born in a family that has a strong background, definitely it may not be all caste based anymore, but a lot has to be done to bridge the gap that already exists.
Let's look at it this way, the tax paid by all states are not equal. The center's allocation of funds is in proportion to the needs of the state and not proportional to the amount of tax paid by the state. Why?
Because we are a country. If we begin to question the very basis of a country holding together and moving ahead together we might as well be moving towards aristocracy.
There was a time when it was important to protect India's economy from the world's economy. There was a time when steel, railways, defense were not open to foreign investments or privatization. The way space programs are now moving towards privatization in more developed countries, we are moving towards privatizing some of our major industries. In good time the caste based reservation will no longer be needed. But it isn't magically going to happen. Neither will it happen if politicians with vested interests continue exploiting the system. Like most major changes, it will be gradual and over the time. One of the most effective ways to speed it up is strengthening the roots while still a shoot.
The cut offs in colleges for reserved students increases each year as well. However for both the cut offs to become equal, the approach towards reservation needs to be reviewed.
The hindrances have to be identified and solutions need to be implemented at the right places.
references : https://www.epw.in/engage-interactives/busting-myths-on-caste-based-reservation-policies.html
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