We all know that India is struggling under the weight of a faulty reservation system in education and jobs. The reservation system is for the socially and economically underprivileged sections of the society. Reservation was envisaged for the communities which are deprived, ostracised from the mainstream and are living without any or little hope. It was initially meant for those who don’t have any means to even compete in society.
But we can see around us, a significant part of the beneficiaries of the scheme now comes from a privileged, prosperous and middle-class background. Many are taking advantage of the system multiple times. Parents of these beneficiaries are earning well in government or private sector jobs. Several generations of a family have been receiving benefits for decades. Yet, those for whom the scheme was introduced are still living in the fringes of society in hopeless situations. All the more, the government has recently announced 10% reservation for those belonging to the general category as well.
This reservation is degrading merit in every sphere and violating the equality principle. It is not fulfilling its purpose and the country is paying a huge price for it. In my opinion, it is a bubble which can burst any time and destroy India – socially and economically. Deserving youths are getting alienated from the system, frustration is at its peak, and reserved seats, according to me, have become a tool for politicians to divide people. Now, it is evident that politicians will not correct this system for their own political benefits. But, as citizens, can we do something about it? I think, yes.
Think once before applying for reservation in a job or at an educational institution- “Kya mujhe sach me aarakshan ki zaroorat hai? (Do I really need reservation?)” Did you face any difficulty in accessing application form or in paying fees for it? Did you face any problem in accessing any resource while preparing for the examination? Understand that this reservation is for those who have a complete absence of any help. This is for those who can’t even have access to loans and scholarships. This is for those who have no help; rather, people are obstructing their progress in life. Think, are you one of them?
We may face problems in getting bank loans for education; we may face a cash crunch during preparing for an examination; we may have to do a part-time job for survival. But, all these conditions do not qualify for being eligible for the reservation. We should not take a reserved seat in lieu of our hard work. If one has taken a reservation once and got a good position, then he/she is not entitled to the same benefits yet again. As far as I am concerned, ethics and morality play a vital role in deciding our qualification for reservation.
Some would say that – Sarkar ke anusaar, main aarakshan lene ke liye eligible hoon (According to the government, I’m eligible for reservation),” so, it may be legal for you to take a reserved seat but, morally it is not right if you are capable enough. Some would say, “Agar mene aarakshan nahi liya toh koi aur le lega, toh faayda kya? (If I don’t take reservation, someone else will. Then what’s the point?)” Ask your conscience, and don’t look at others who are taking benefits unnecessarily. Someone has to take the first step. We should start a campaign #giveupreservation where moral persuasion will help to convince people to give up benefits if they find themselves ineligible ethically and rationally. A similar initiative was launched by our present honourable Prime minister where he asked people to give up gas subsidy, which was successful. We should think about the country and its future. With such an initiative, if people don’t take the reservation, the government will be forced to take steps to discontinue the scheme in the future. Gradually this has to come to an end.
Our neighbour, Bangladesh, has recently ended the reservation system in government jobs. I know, this cannot happen anytime soon in India, given the country’s present situation, where people are protesting to be made eligible for reservation. But, I think, we should at least do our duty and convince others. We have to get rid of our greed, and think about future generations. We cannot make our struggle, difficulties in life an excuse to take away the benefits that are meant for other, perhaps more deserving people. If we have economic issues, we can avail loans and scholarship, but we should not compromise with merit. Think, and evaluate your eligibility for reservation. I believe this is the only solution to this faulty reservation system. At any rate, India is already paying a hefty price for it, methinks.