New calibration of education

1950 : Constitution making was in process. Dr. B. R. Ambedakr wanted to introduce reservation for backward castes to uplift them.

2006 : New law making in process. Government wants to increase the reservation in educational institutions to increase their votebank.

Effect will be the same. But only the cause of implementations differ. If Manmohan Singh cabinet approves a notification to introduce 27% reservation for OBCs in 20 central universities, IITs and II Ms, the seats available for general quota will drastically go down. In IITs, where the fight for entry is very fierce, there will be cut down of 1300 general candidate seats. In IIMs, considered as most prestigious business schools in country, the number would be around 200. This would only lead to lack of emergence of technocrats and businessmen in a country already facing a problem of brain drain.

When reservation was first introduced in constitution make-up, the situation was entirely different. Backward people were put down to earth, they werent considered equal among others. So, there was certain need to make conditions better for them. But now the scenario has changed. Caste basis is nor more considered a criterion. Everyone is getting equal opportunites in all the fields may it be education or may it be employment. So, why in the name of the hell is this new reseravtion is being introduced?? It will be very pathetic to think that one half of the country is being nurtured not on merit but on other considerations. Government has to understand that by introducing this reseravtion they are depriving people from general quota of their seats. The technical profession requires people of high talent and so we need to respect merit as criterion for admission. If at all government wants to help the OBC people, they may consider options of scholarships or spending extra money to prepare the youth for selection process.

As I am writing this post, I recieve a message from my friend stating that 'ALL IIT AND IIM STUDENTS HAVE DECIDED TO BOYCOTT CLASSES ON 17TH APRIL 2006 MONDAY IN PROTEST AGAINST 50% RESERVATION !!!! ' Is this really going to make government re-think its policy?? When the Supreme court delivered its controversial judgement in 2005 abolishing all the caste-based reservations in unaided private colleges, it provoked a backlash that has since revived the relatively dormant Mandal issue. But, our Parliament amended the constitution within four months to roll back the apex court verdict and maintain status quo. So, it is only a matter of time before Government enforces this 27% percent increase in reservation. Last time, when V.P.Singh introduced the Mandal quota in jobs, it led to a bloody anti-reservation stir with some people even self immolating. While that may not happen this time, a heated debate is on the cards.

P.S : By writing such a post, I didnt mean any kind of offence to any seciton of our community