Reservation

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _

Reservation Reservation for a certain section of society in independent India, has become a major issue of discussion, dissension, debate and bitterness. When India got its freedom from the British yoke in 1947, the framers of the Indian Constitution made these reservations for that section of our society which had been long neglected and disparaged. The purpose was well thought of and in all fairness. The Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes were, originally the only ones who were given this reservation, and that too for fifteen years. It was for this specific period only because, it was expected that, one generation would be helped to rise in this period. However, as we see it today, the policy of reservation has been completely changed in the span of the last fifty years. A series of backward classes have now been included to be termed as the OBCs, Physical handicaft and the latest category include in the list is of women. The quota system sets aside a proportion of all possible positions for members of a specific group. Those not belonging to the designated communities can compete only for the remaining positions, while members of the designated communities can compete for all positions (reserved and open). For example, when 2 out of 10 clerical positions in railways are reserved for ex-servicemen, those who have served in the Army can compete both in the General Category as well as in the specific quota.

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _ History of Reservation: If we will check the records in the year 1858 also British People knew how to divide and rule India, and with this policy very intelligently they kept dividing India on name of Religion and Caste and sub caste. When British People left they handed over the India to such people who changed nothing what was started by British and Indian leaders and politicians kept ruling India with the same rules and principals of British people. British people gave us few good things and few bad things. Those were bad things like quota system ,division on the basis of caste and religion , British people introduced that to safeguard their rule on India, but our Indian rulers also adopted same policy and ideas to create their own family rule forever in India. . Let’s know the history of Reservation – 1. 1882 - Hunter Commission appointed. Mahatma Jyotirao Phule made a demand of free and compulsory education for all along with proportionate reservation/representation in government jobs. 2. The notification of 1902 created 50% reservation in services for backward classes/communities in the State of Kolhapur. This notification is the first Govt. Order providing for reservation for the welfare of depressed classes in India. 3. 1921-Madras Presidency introduces Communal G O in which reservation of 44 per cent for non-Brahmins, 16 per cent for Brahmins, 16 per cent for Muslims, 16 per cent for Anglo-Indians/ Christians and eight per cent for Scheduled Castes. 4.1947-India obtained Independence. Dr. Ambedkar was appointed chairman of the drafting committee for Indian Constitution. 5. 1953-Kalelkar Commission was established to assess the situation of the socially and educationally backward class. 6. 1979-Mandal Commission was established to assess the situation of the socially and

educationally backward. 1980-the commission submitted a report, and recommended changes to the existing quotas, increasing them from 22% to 49.5%.

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _ 7. 1991-Narasimha rao Government introduced 10% separate reservation for Poor among Forward Castes. 8. 9th March 2010 - Women Reservation Bill passed in the Upper house, Rajya Sabha. **The above time line is not complete and detailed I have tried to put only mportant points in this reservation history of India.

Benefits of political parties All political parties know that divide and rule policy based on castes and religion will make them rich, will always help them hide their corruption and bad deeds and they are following it religiously.

DIFFERENT CRITERIA FOR RESERVATION Caste based: Seats are reserved for Schedules Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Castes (based chiefly on caste at birth) in varying ratio by the central government and state government. This caste is decided based on birth, and can never be changed. While a person can change his religion, and his economic status can fluctuate, the caste is permanent. In central government funded higher education institutions, 22.5% of available seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (Dalit)and Scheduled Tribe (Adivasi) students (15% for SCs, 7.5% for STs). This reservation percentage has been raised to 49.5%, by including an additional 27% reservation for OBCs. In AIIMS 14% of seats are reserved for SCs, 8% for STs. In addition, SC/ST students with only 50% scores are eligible. This ratio is followed even in Parliament and all elections where few constituencies are earmarked for those from certain communities. In a few states like Tamil Nadu, the percentage of reservation is 18% for SCs and 1% for STs, being based on local demographics. In Andhra Pradesh, 25% of

educational institutes and government jobs for BCs, 15% for SCs, 6% for STs and 4% for Muslims.

Gender based: Women's reservations Women get 33% reservation in gram panchayat (meaning village assembly, which is a form of local village government) and municipal elections. There is a long-term plan to extend this reservation to parliament and legislative assemblies. In

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _ addition, women in India get reservation or preferential treatments in education and jobs. Certain men consider this preferential treatment of women in India as discrimination against them in admissions to schools, colleges, and universities. For instance, several law schools in India have a 30% reservation for females. Progressive political opinion in India is strongly in favor of providing preferential treatment to women in order to create a level playing field for all of its citizens. The Women's reservation Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 9 March 2010 by a ajority vote of 186 members in favor and 1 against. It will now go to the Lok Sabha, and if passed there, would be implemented.

Religion based: The Tamil Nadu government has allotted 3.5% of seats each to Muslims and Christians, thereby altering the OBC reservation to 23% from 30% since it excludes persons belonging to Other Backward Castes who are either Muslims or Christians. The government's argument is that this sub-quota is based on the backwardness of the religious communities and not on the religions themselves. Andhra Pradesh's administration has introduced a law enabling 4% reservations for Muslims. This has been contested in court. Kerala Public Service Commission has a quota of 12% for Muslims. Religious minority status educational institutes also have 50% reservation for their particular religions.

Minorities based: Most of the minority institutions reserve a large number of seats (Sometimes up to 50%) for students of their religion. Jamia Milia Islamia (50% for Muslims), St. Stephens (50% for Christians) are two prime examples. Similarly most of the missionary schools and colleges (St. paul, St. xavier etc.)have de-facto reservation for Christian students.

Management quota: Most controversial quota is the Management quota according to the advocaters of Pro-caste reservation people. It is also been seriously criticized by leading educationalists as it is a quota based on economic status irrespective of caste, race and religion as anybody who has money can buy his seat. It reserves about 15 % seats in private colleges for the students who are decided by the college management's own criteria. The criteria involves the colleges own entrance exam or minimum %age of 10+2 legally.

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _ Other criteria: Some reservations are also made for: • • • • • • • •

Sons/Daughters/Grandsons/Granddaughters of Freedom Fighters. Physically handicapped. Sports personalities. Candidates sponsored by various organizations. Those who have served in the armed forces (ex-serviceman quota). Dependents of armed forces personnel killed in action. Repatriates. Seat reservation for Senior citizens/ PH in Public Bus transport.etc.

PROBLEM OF RESERVATION

Actually this system of quota system was brought to help the students of backward class ho are very poor and not given any respect in the society. In my view there is a main disadvantage of caste based reservation in colleges, because in many colleges many reservation seats remain unfilled whereas the general candidates are not admitted.

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _ In the other scenario, some good talent of the general category cannot get admission in the college because of the constrained proportion of seats. to fill the seats in the reserved quota, many undeserving candidates are admitted who only fill the vacancy and do no good to the country. Caste based admission in colleges should be abolished and free selection of candidates should be done without any quota based seats filling. Then only all of the real deserving students will get admission.The same thing is advantageous to political groups to exploit the society for their own personal ends.Talent is given a serious blow coz of this reservation system. Ambedkar who created this system of reservation told it should prevail only for 50 years of independence. Its bad that it is still continuing.

SOLUTION OF RESERVATION Reservation must be based on economic condition and into on the basis of caste. Those who are really poor and not getting any facilities for education as normal students, should really get the reservation, but this shuld not repeat generation to generation.

Reservations in Colleges/Universities via Government Funding:

There is a University Grants Commission (UGC) set up that provides financial assistance to Universities for the establishment of Special Cells for SC/STs. The purpose of these cells is to help Universities in implementing the reservation policy in the process of student admissions and staff recruitment at teaching and non teaching levels. It will also help the SC/ST categories integrate with the university community and remove difficulties which they may have experienced. SC/ST cells like these have been set up in 109 Universities. The UCG provides financial assistance to Universities and affiliated Colleges for implementing the Special Cells. It provides the universities with assistance worth "Rs.1, 00,000/- per annum for: 1.

Travelling Allowances & Dearness Allowances for field work

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _ 2. 3. 4.

Data Collection Analysis and evaluation of statistical data Computer and Printer (once in a plan period)"

The UGC provides Financial Assistance only up to the end of the Xth Plan period ending on 31st March 2007. The work undertaken by the SC/ST Cells is reviewed at the end of Xth plan. The objective of the Xth plan is to ensure that there is an effective implementation of the reservation policy in admission, recruitment, allotment of staff quarters, Hostels etc. In short, it is to make sure that the SC/ST Cells are established in the Universities.

Relaxations: In view of the fact that several of the top undergraduate and graduate institutions in India, such as the IITs, the IIMs are among the most selective in the world, it is not surprising that most reservation criteria are applied at the stage of entrance examinations for these institutions. Some of the criteria are relaxed for reserved categories, while others are completely eliminated. Examples include: 1. The minimum high school marks criteria are relaxed for reserved seats. 2. Age 3. Fees, Hostel Room Rent etc.

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Practical/Assignment Work Sheet ____________________________________________________ _ Arguments offered by Pro-Reservationists and Anti Reservationists: Anti-Reservationists

Pro-Reservationists

Lower castes no longer accept that their lower economic status, lower position in the social hierarchy and lack of respect from members of higher castes are a “given” in their social existence.

Men should remain in the same occupation and station of their life as their forefathers was a part of religious precepts and social customs in India.

Opponents are unhappy because they believe that a moral injustice is being committed and equality of opportunity is eroded because of the reservation system. They are against the reservations because appointments are made on the basis of membership in a caste not considering that the individual is socially or economically handicapped. They also believe that reservations are used for political benefits rather than social benefits.

The OBCs should get a greater share in administrative positions because political power resides in India’s administrative positions. They view political power as a way to get economic benefits, which they have been deprived of.

They believe that reservations do not take into They believe they should get reservations account merits and achievements and those who because they have been victims of the do not deserve hold certain positions get those Brahmin-dominated caste system and

positions because of reservations and this could lead to deterioration of public services.

reservations as a part of the struggle against the oppression and for changing India’s social structure away from hierarchy.