Let’s check on the Roots!
Historically,Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B. R. Ambedkar, played active roles in achieving equal rights and social standing of the Dalits.In the Round Table Conference in 1932,under the Poona Pact,the deprived classes were assigned a specific number of seats from certain constituencies for exclusive voting.This class corresponded to the SC and ST of today.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Poona-Pact
The transition!
However, what we see in presently is that a tool designed for empowerment simply evolved a a major propaganda machinery to generate massive vote bank for those who everytime proposed and implemented increment in the percentage of reserved seats.
The benefits have been reaching to only a certain group of people who dont necessarily need any of these and unfortunately the condition of dalits,and other backward classes who are financially crippled as well continue to be them and there has been no remedy from the atrocities they have been going through.
The current percentage of reservation is 50% across all the categories and not only under caste based reservation.The addition of the recent bill for reservation of 10% to the Economically Weak Section in the general category has been passed which has numerous ambiguity and flaws that requires corrction, will take up the total percentage to 60% if implemented.
The Law says it all!
It is important to acknowledge and understand its different references in the Constitution. Article 15 (4), 16 (4) and 46 are related to reservations.But the implementation never happened adequately and accurately.
https://www.ebc-india.com/lawyer/articles/94v3a2.htm
This should not be considered as a discriminatory step because the same constitution states under article 17 that ‘Untouchability is a Criminal offense and the act was passed in 1955, yet this is immensely and openly practised in India with certain associated sense of pride !!!!!
The consequences!
Over years we have seen strong nationwide protests against caste based reservation and simultaneously quite a decent number of petitions filed in favor of reservation for certain new communities those are yet not recognized by the constitution as backward classes.Irony in its own!
https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/amp.indiatimes.com/news/five-communities-demanding-caste-based-reservation-in-india-262699.html
The biggest and an almost irreparable damage that has happened due to the misuse of the reservation system is that it has completely outnumbered the candidates on merit basis.As a nation that needs to work relentlessly towards Education and Socio- Economic growth , we need people in the position who have the proven acumen.No, I dont believe a person can be a good or a bad doctor because of a caste or gender she/he belongs to.No, I dont believe leadership and innovation has anything to do with reservation categories.Also, I don’t believe power and governance can be achieved without sufficient education.(umm! so opposed to Indian Politics!)
Now what?
It is high time that the reservation system in India now needs to be revisited both constitutionally and politically.There should be strong and discrete conditions attached on the eligibility crieteria in all the section of Govt sector reservation.Also the economic, educational and political background of every candidate must go throught adequate screening before they are assigned the benefits of reservation.Those who are in genuine need of such benefits should immediately be listed as priorities over others.The authenticuty os the documents must play a pivotal role in this and the total percentage of all inclusive reservation must be re structured , keeping in mind that by no means this should violate the rights of needy.Can we not work towards this? Can this country not really get together in uplifting the situation of those who are the real victims of caste based discriminatio through education and opportunity?
With a hope of having a nation changing for better with social and economic justice and equality,let’s ahead because we can do it.