Introduction:

The Constitution of India is secular in its theology and advocating equality of all citizens irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion. However, the secular character of the Constitution of India is highly jeopardized by clause 16 (4) and Article 335 of the Constitution guaranteeing employment and promotion for the SC/ST people, which are partisan in principle and casteism in character. The constituent assembly headed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar made the provision for SC and ST people for a period of ten years from the 26th January, 1950 with the sole intention to see these people grow in every respect to match with the rest of the society.

The system which was to end in 1960 is getting extended every ten years and is going to continue for a few more decades to come. The reservation system does benefit politicians in their vote-bank politics and no political party dares to get rid of the support base of the system or antagonize a huge identified section. It is needless to say that the reservation system has spread its wings to education, appointment, promotion, legislature and executive.

AIIMs controversy:

The Honorable Supreme Court of India in a judgment has pronounced that reservation system in vogue at AIIMS should be scuttled forth an appointment in the future should be based on ability brilliance and knowledge of the candidates. The treatment system should be more competent and best. The best of doctors should come to AIIMS and if reservation system continues, the name and fame and the best of everything that the hospital has will doom to low.

The Honorable Court has come down heavily on Indian politicians who have no concern for the country and its people and to keep their vote-banks intact. They have been running the medical, education and legal system of the country. But, our politicians are keen on finding a way out to counter court-verdict. In 1992, the apex court had fixed a cap on the reservation system at 50% in ‘IndIra Sahani’ verdict. But, the verdict seems to be on an uneven, dwindling base as the observation of the court is favorable to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments’ proposal for enhancing the cap on appointment to 69% and 73% of reservations respectively.

Reservation vs Globalization:

Today’s globalization has made the SC, ST and OBCs to search for their identity in industrialization, urbanization, democracy, human rights and equality. They are now a new force, quite overwhelming to take on the Brahmins and the affluent non-Brahmins. The political parties have become so much vote-addict that they are unable to digest and implement the creamy layer’s verdict of the court pronounced on 16.11.1993.

The emerging youth force is now agog with the idea of ‘merit and not the caste’ as the yardstick in all matters at all places. They do not entertain a situation where a brilliant and meritorious scientist scoring a 100 is defeated by that of a person of the reserved category scoring a duck in the examination. It is surprising and horrible to be in a situation where a reserved category person with no knowledge of medicine or surgery is a doctor at a reputed hospital or a professor at BHU or a space scientist. It is high time now that our politicians realize that enough is enough.

Another perplexing factor is that the affluent among the identified class also enjoy the benefit of reservation. So, the creamy layers’ theory of the Honorable Supreme Court of India is a very valid, acceptable and brilliant concept and must be adopted by all parties. A poor Brahmin, a day laborer, a poor Muslim or a Christian need reservation as much as, though not more as the reserved category. Our politicians need to be more rational and purposeful.

The reservation system has crippled the nation, turning a vast majority of our man-power into lazy, incompetent and incapable lots. The best thing the government should do to be to impact adequate training, education, knowledge, consciousness, competence and productivity so as to make them competent to handle critical situations and higher responsibilities. With declining opportunities in government jobs, how far the private sector will abide by the government reservation policy and still stand to gain in these days of globalization.

Some positive impacts:

The government is gradually losing its foot-hold due to FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and FII (Foreign Institutional Investors) policy and privatization. Private players are not expected to oblige the government in the matter of providing jobs to the reserve category or promoting the inefficient. Neither they nor the government or public sector undertakings should do it either in the national interest.

Yes, one action by the government certainly is commendable and pleasing subject to all constitutional parties deciding in the same line with the national interest. Spread of education, solution of the communication problem, community development programs’ implementation, facilitation of bank loans, etc. will make the reserved category of persons more competent and competitive.

Conclusion:

An able and sufficient delivery system should be in place for which e-governance and RTI are basic necessities. A vibrant reflection of ability, transparency and non-partisan philosophy should find reflection in the works and deeds of the government. The time has come to ponder over the matter and streamline a domestic policy with all politicians taking it as their primary aim to place the nation before populist politicking.