Chatrapati Sahuji Maharaj started the system of reservation with the aim of eradicating poverty in as early as 1902 but he might not have thought of its consequences in future. His aim was to give poor and backward people their share in administration. Though, it was a great measure to give equal status to the people who were considered untouchables at that time but do you think the system still maintains its essence?
It wouldn’t be cent percent true to claim that practices like untouchability has been rooted out from the society. Even in places where untouchability is not practiced, eyes that look at the people of backward classes does not carry as much respect as it carries for the people of upper castes. This is because they are still considered poor in terms of living and cleanliness. On the other hand, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the condition has been much improved since the time reservation system was introduced.
The condition may not have enriched completely but it has reached to a sustainable level. No one can stop SC/STs from taking admission to a good college, no one can place a barrier in getting them a government job and even no one can hinder the progress of a person of backward class. This is all because of the strong laws of India that offers special protection to the people of backward classes.
To be true, reservation has done what it could do! It has worked for the upliftment of backward classes and tribes and the time has come when they should move forward on their own and leave the hands of reservation. It is no more a tool of favor instead it has become a tool of discrimination. Today, many students wishes to be of backward class, so that they could also get the benefit of reservation. Reservation is now weakening the system!
If any liability has to be given, it should be provided to the students belonging to poor families, that too only in fees. They should be given free training and material for study. Concession in marks is unfair because no candidate of general category is endowed with more intelligence. The brainpower is not given to people on the basis of categories, so giving liability to SC/ST students in marks doesn’t look fair from any side. If talking about their economic status, then any student of general category can also be poor and unable to afford the cost of education.
Therefore, reservation on the basis of caste should be eradicated from society instead there should be fee concession for economically backward students, be of any caste. Castes should not come in between education and jobs. The competition should be between intellects and not between classes! Reservation itself divides people and nothing such should persist in the society which divides the people!
