Why Reservation

The issue of reservation based on economic criteria is often debated in media and public. I would like to add to such debate that reservation for dalits in jobs etc. in India was imposed by the British in 1942 at the recommendations of Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar.  No upper caste leader has ever liked it.  

The Constitutional provisions for reservation in the matters of APPOINTMENTS have never been implemented properly.  These provisions have been followed selectively for appointment at the lower levels in Government.  There has never been any reservation in  APPOINTMENTS to higher level posts which is the most required thing to achieve the goals of an equity based society. 

 

India did make land reforms during early decades after independence.  One can hear stories from Chaudharies and Dabangs in the villages, how they shooed away dalits from the small holdings given to them from the surplus land. There was no one in key positions to save the poor dalits from the wrath of such bullies in villages.  In business, even the powerful have felt helpless before traditional businessmen of India so far. Thus the Dalits have never been allowed to grow to their full potential.

Some people say that reservation will become irrelevant when there are plenty of jobs.  But I would ask that if such is the case, then have the cases of discrimination and atrocities against Dalits  should have stopped happening in the prosperous States like Gujarat etc.

Therefore, reservation is not about employment alone.  It is very much about representation and partnership of Dalits in the running of the country.  One can see how the Blacks of South Africa have become so competent within few years of their emancipation to hold all top level posts in their country through representation whereas Dalits in India are not considered worthy of growing beyond a point even after their three generations having been educated.