India, as a nation, has adopted a policy of exclusiveness. Though no body will agree that such a policy exists, every citizen, political group, NGO and the government is working for its achievement.
Aa an example, after independence our country adopted a policy of reservation of seats in educational institutions for some select groups for a specified period. With time, politicians discovered the potential of this policy to create new and maintain their existing vote banks. More groups were identified. Many education bills were brought in Parliament to extend the reservation to more groups. Some new education bills are pending. First SCs and STs, then OBCs, then BPL families and any other category specific to a state, such as religious minorities.
I believe that the founding fathers of Indian Constitution had in their mind the concept of inclusiveness of the entire people in national mainstream. But the opportunist politicians have turned this initiative into the instrument of exclusiveness. Today Indian society has more groups than it had on the day of independence, and all these groups are fighting with each other. The negative implications of reservation policy - social, legal, administrative, financial and demographic - are there for everybody to see. But vested interests have undermined the national interests and have turned a blind eye on the realities.
The intent behind reservation was a noble intent but it was not reflected in the mindset of those who made schemes and supervised their implementation. The intent is still valid but needs proper corrections. The mindset has to change. The policy of reservation should be replaced by the policy of empowerment. It should be need based and should not be limited to select groups. It should be open to all disadvantaged people. The proposal of corporates to offer scholarships to disadvantaged people is a welcome step and should be encouraged. Government should not force the private business to follow its ill-thoughtout reservation policy.
India needs a movement of inclusiveness of all and exclusiveness for none.
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3 comments:
Yes, only a society inclusive of all its citizens can progress and benefits of progress will reach all. India is a big nation, only second to China, in population but all the powers and benefits are shared by few families. A particular family even claims that only they can rule over this country. The most unfortunate part is that many citizens support this illogical and insulting claim.
Successive governments at centre and in states have always looked at people not as human beings but as vote banks who will keep on electing them as their rulers. Any body born in these families is a natural choice for leading the country. Anybody not belonging to their group is an alien and is excluded.
Government is now talking of Affirmative Action and projecting reservation as a part of it. This is wrong. Reservation is a negative concept and can never be a part of Afirmative Action.
You are right Mr. Katar. Reservation creates division in society. It has its bad side effects. It creates hatred. There should be no reservation in any area.
India is a democracy but these dirty politicians have made a mockery of it. Reservations are every where, in schools, in jobs, in promotions, in parliament, in elections, VIP, VVIP, VVVIP, in police protection, in use of road, you talk of any aspect of Indians' life there is this damn reservation. Shame on these politicians. There are the worst enemy of India.
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