Reservation in India

By Palak Srivastava

Reservation in India: Knowing the Origin, Impact, and Challenges

The reservation policy in India has evoked feelings, from its need to the way it has been exercised and several problems that come with it. Such a multi-faceted reservation system requires an analysis of its origin, sectors where it has been implemented, and problems associated with the unethical practices involved.

Reservation in India: Tracing Its Origins

The reservation system in India had its roots in the historical and social structure of this country. Traditionally, Indian society was divided on the basis of a rather rigid system of hierarchical groups called castes. The well-entrenched caste system in the social structure has been practicing discrimination and inequality in day-to-day life at the cost of people from comparatively lower castes like SCs and STs. These people had been ostracised, oppressed, kept away from education, and excluded from land and employment; they were given only such menial jobs shunned by others.

The framers of the Indian Constitution brought in the reservation policy at the initiative of dynamic Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, struck by deep-rooted social injustices in the Constitution. Basically, reservation policy is introduced to give equal opportunities to historically subjugated people and to raise their socio-economic status. In 1950, the Indian Constitution wove in provisions for reservations in education, employment, and political representational cases of SCs, STs, and subsequently, Other Backward Classes. That was an attempt to build an inclusive society where opportunities at various levels allow the backward classes to catch up with the mainstream after centuries of discrimination.

Sectors Where Reservation is Applied:

Reservations in India are practised sector-wise and strive to mete out absolute justice, bringing a feel of equanimity within society. Some of the major spheres in which reservation policies play their role are:

1.Reservation in Education: Perhaps the most prominent area of the implementation of reservations has been admission to all kinds of educational institutions. Under it, it provides for reserved seats in schools, colleges, and universities to SCs, STs, and OBCs. This will ensure that students coming from such backgrounds get into institutions of higher learning; otherwise this cycle of poverty and marginalization cannot be broken.

2. Employment: This reservation system is also applied in government jobs. For some percentage of vacancies in public sector jobs, SC, ST, and OBC candidates are reserved quota. This policy targets to ensure that in governmental services, there is a representation from these communities that were earlier dominated by upper castes.

3. Political Representation: The reservation policy extends to the level of political representation, too. Some constituencies have been reserved for SC and ST candidates in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies. This would provide assurance that these communities can raise their voice in the process of legislation and be in a position to influence policies affecting them.

4. Panchayati Raj Institutions: Reserved seats at the grass-roots level in panchayati raj institutions, i.e., village councils, for SCs, STs, and women are helpful in restitutions of the marginalized groups and women in rural areas where the rigidity of the social hierarchy is more pronounced.

Unethical Use of the Reservation System

Though this has been a very noble idea in spirit, its implementation over the last few decades has been controversial and challenging. Among the many such concerns are linked with the unethical use of the reservation system, quite opposite in spirit to the very purpose behind it.

1. Manipulation of Caste Certificates: The most prevalent unethical practice relates to the manipulation of caste certificates. A good number of people who fall outside the ambit of reservation categories manage fabricated caste certificates and get admission into educational institutions or jobs reserved for SCs, STs, or OBCs. This not only deprives deserving candidates of their rightful due but also causes erosion in the public's trust in the reservation system.

2. Creamy Layer in OBCs**: In such cases, the "creamy layer" concept was brought in so that the benefits of reservation would go to the most deserving amongst the OBCs. It meant an exclusion of the relatively well-off. Nevertheless, the creamy layer concept remained on paper and its execution inconsistent, where some of these wealthier and more privileged continued to get reservations under the OBC quota. This has been the subject of long-standing demands for an effective application of the creamy layer criteria, so that only the genuinely disadvantaged benefit.

3. Politicisation of Reservations: The reservation system was politicised over the years. The political parties, many a time, promised increased reservations to different communities in lieu of votes, without bothering about its long-term social and economic consequences. It resulted in demands for reservations from different groups; at times, it even took the form of social unrest and violence.

4. Merit vs Reservation Debate: Another burning question open to public debate is the debate between merit and reservation. Critics of reservations aver that it dilutes the quality of education and employment by promoting caste at the cost of merit. The protagonists argue that in the absence of reservations, the playing fields can never be levelled as the historical and social disadvantages cannot be overlooked.

Conclusion

The reservation system in India was to mete out more justice and equity to society by the upliftment of historically marginally situated communities. Though quite effective in opening up opportunities to deserving candidates by uplifting the historically marginally situated communities, it has also given rise to a number of challenges and unethical practices connected with its implementations. The reservation system stands today at the center of the raging debate over whether social justice has to be pursued regardless of merit and equality. Such challenges have to be met in times to come so that the reservation system does not get misused or politicized, serving the very purpose it was designed for. The ultimate aim should be to build such a society where opportunities will be available to all equally, irrespective of castes, classes, and backgrounds.

By Palak Srivastava