The great oversight!!

Oversight is the failure to notice something. If, in management terms, government is asked as to why it has not been able to provide equal opportunities to all, the one answer can be that it was due to oversight. The government failed to notice that reservation is not yielding desired results but is creating only bad side effects, such as, creamy layer and hate between different sections of Indian society.

I am amused as the government has set up an oversight committee. What this commiittee will do? Give a report to justify the oversights (in past 55 plus years) or identify areas for future oversights.

Youth of India have identified one of the most important oversights of successive governments - not to review the short-term policy of reservation and allowing it to become an indefinite-term policy. But government has again failed to take notice of the oversight and indulged in yet another oversight- not to agree to students' demand for setting up a non-polical committee to review reservations. Instead government goes ahead and constitute a committee which it names Oversight Committe. The name is intentional or a coincidence!

How to divide society!!

Pankaj Vohra in his article (HT, 29 May 2006) - "Go back to start" - writes:
"Communal and caste politics are two sides of the same coin and politically, both serve an equally divisive objective. For the UPA, which has managed to carry forward the secular agenda, it was unnecessary to bring in a caste-based issue, especially when everything was running smoothly. This period should have been ideally used to create more infrastructure and make available to the weaker and backward sections educational facilities both at the primary and secondary levels in order to prepare them for higher education. There is no dispute that the country needs to include in its development strategy a well-conceived plan to provide education to all sections of society. The focus should be on building infrastructure rather than taking credit for something that is aimed at getting the support of some sections of society at the expense of loosing support of sections already with the government."

CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF "YOUTH FOR EQUALITY"

Following is the "CHARTER OF DEMANDS" submitted by Youth For Equality to PM. This is no more a COD of these satudents only. It is the COD of every Indian who wants loves this country and wants to see it as a world power. Read it and sign it by posting your comments.

"CHARTER OF DEMANDS"

Deferral of the proposed hike in reservation in the central universities.

AND

An Expert Commission should be formed which would explore all the avenues of affirmative actions, review the efficiency of reservation1 as an affirmative action (considering both its benefits and drawbacks) and compare the efficiencies of the all possible affirmative actions. Thus it should come up with a fool proof and time bound strategy to uplift and empower the backward sections of our country without interfering with the overall development and well being of our Nation.

Implementation of the proposed extended reservation policy and any other new reservation policy only after the commission has submitted its report.

A white paper on the reservation policy.

1 We view reservations as a limited step to provide opportunities for the backward sections of our country to acquire education and employment.

AND

Places in the Government jobs that are remaining vacant due to lack of eligible candidates from the reserved category should be opened for other eligible candidates immediately.

AND

No action should be taken against the agitating students, interns and resident doctors in any form as regards to service break, termination, pay deduction, legal action etc.


AND

The Hon’ble Prime Minister should give a concrete statement on the issue.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY EXPERT COMMISSION?

It should be a non-political non-parliamentary commission with members from judicial, social sciences, educational, scientific background. It should be formed in15 days and should submit its report within 1 year’s time.

WHAT WOULD BE ITS AIMS AND OBJECTIVE?

To come up with a fool proof and time bound* strategy to uplift and empower the backward sections of our country without interfering with the overall development and well being of our Nation.

WHAT SHOULD IT DO?

1) It would explore all the avenues of affirmative actions.
2) It would assess the efficiency of the existing reservations taking into consideration both its benefits and drawbacks. #
3) It would compare the efficiency of other means of affirmative actions with that of reservations.
4) It should find ways other than affirmative actions, which would help in changing the socio-economic system, which breeds exploitation and inequality.
5) It should come up with socio-economic criteria, which would exclude the affluent and those already having access to jobs and higher education. **
6) It should fix parameters to determine the degree of upliftment and empowerment of the backward sections so that when adequate degree is achieved the Government should stop the policy of affirmative actions.
7) It should always keep in mind that the affirmative actions whatever suggested by the Commission should never interfere with the overall development and well being of our Nation.

*We want that whatever affirmative actions would be followed should have an end-point defined. Parameters should be defined after which there would be no need for affirmative actions in the same lines as they are being given till date.

**Creamy layer should be applied for all.

#While assessing the policy the Commission should take in account the current data about the population distribution.

A retrograde step – Tuglaqi faisla

Union cabinet decision to go ahead with 27% additional reservation from next year is the most retrograde step taken by any government of independent India. I think PM Manmohan Singh deserves congratulations for this and also for becoming the architect of Mandal-II. He has also created history in going back (stabbing in back as doctors say) on his assurances in the shortest possible time. As per a doctor of MAMC “On Monday, the PM appealed to us to have faith in him, that our interests would be taken care of and then this is what they announced late last night (Tuesday). It is like being stabbed in the back”.

The doctor is right. Take my case. I am not affected by this foolish decision but still feel cheated and cheated by the highest authority of my country. This is social in-justice.

Whom should people respect?

Politicians have long back ceased to deserve any respect of the people whom they represent in LS/RS and state legislatures. They have become a burden on peoples’ conscience. But a ray of hope emerged when Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam became President of India and Mr. Manmohan Singh became Prime Minister of India. People thought that if not more then at least two people are there who command the respect of Indian people. But it turned out to be a short dream. Their actions and inactions on OBC quota issue have projected their image as mere politicians who have no respect for self and also for the people. The argument that they have to discharge their constitutional obligations and can not take an opposite stand which they might personally think is right holds no water. They have a very simple option – resign from such posts which force them to take wrong decisions and prevent from taking right decisions. People of India do not respect them as they are President and PM of India but as they are good human beings.

I may be wrong in my assumption that they do not support reservation as the only way to create equal opportunities to bring social justice in Indian society. They might be having the same personal view as the decision the cabinet taken under pressure from its allies and leftists forces. But then they should have come clean and told the people about that. PM talking of pain on doctors’ hunger strike and giving them assurance that no injustice will be done to them goes contrary to the decision they have taken. What has happened is bad. It has become worse as the decision was taken by PM and endorsed by President (in his talks with the students). Who so ever high one is, but playing politics in the name of social justice will not earn them any respect.

It is very disappointing and discouraging that in a Nation of so many people one does have even a single person who one can respect and accept as his or her role model.

Set up a non-political commission

Anti-quota students want a non-political commission to be set up to look into how effective the reservation policy has been in the past. A doctor of MAMC asked “Why are they against setting up a commission and rigidly so? We have the right to know. Why are they scared of making the information public….How has the figure of 27% been arrived at? Is it just so that the upper limit of 50% is followed and the maximum benefit goes out? Or is there any basis to it with regards to the population of the OBCs?”

Seats hike will take 3-5 years

As per TOI news it is not merely a question of raising Rs. 8000 crore more for increasing seats in higher education it will take 3-5 years to implement this decision without any dilution in quality. DU VC Deepak Pental says “If we go by accepted teacher-taught ratios in the university, we are in no position to incease seats for the next three years. Any increase after that too would require infrastructure development on a war-footing. Quality is very important. Affirmative action while compromising on quality is not a good idea”.

How Group of Ministers have given such report and how PM has been offering it as a solution is not understood. Are these people so foolish to offer something which can not be implemented immediately to diffuse the anti-quota protests?

PM Think Tank is becoming empty

The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) is PM’s own think tank. Two members have already resigned in protest over PM’s failure to defend the commission against criticism that it lacked competence to take a view on quota issue. These members were handpicked by PM himself. The mandate of NKC was to guiding reforms that will “transform India into a strong and vibrant knowledge economy in coming two years”.

One member, Mr. Pratap Bhanu Mehta, was disappointed that Manmohan Singh had not shown “more leadership initiative”. He said, “The PM has to set the terms of debate. He can’t wait for everyone else”. These remarks put PM in a very embarrassing situation. The member has written to PM “Many of the recent announcements made by your govt. with respect to higher education leads me to the conclusion that my continuation on the commission will serve no useful purpose”.

Other member, Mr. Beteille, said “There has been a deliberate and, to my mind, cynical misrepresentation of the recent provisions in the constitution” (by Arjun Singh). He wrote to PM “These aspersions on the competence and capability of the commission have been received in silence by your (PM'’) office. Such intemperate remarks should not have been made about a commission set up by the PM himself. He further said that the center could either “move forward and create centers of academic excellence or go along with the demands of identity politics based on caste and community, but we can not do both”.

Politicians’ love for reservation will create so much hate that Indian society will totally disintegrate.

PM ‘pained’ but reservation will continue

Manmohan Singh, after meeting the President, said “That a section of our youth is in agony is something which pains me”. But his love for reservation forces him to issue yet another immature appeal to students to call off their anti-quota stir. He has already lost two members of his thank tank. Yeh aarakshan ka pyar bahut nuksaan karega.

He said “The government is convinced of the need to have a fair, just and inclusive education system where every section of society feels that there is scope for their youth to acquire knowledge and skills as per their needs and become partners in the progress of this great nation”. His words are so sweet but why does he not understand that reservation excludes those youth who are competent on their own and includes those who are made competent by lowering the competence standards.

He promised “There will be no ambiguity in our commitment to work assiduously for the well being of all sections of our society. (They must) have faith in our government to protect the legitimate interests of all sections of our student community”. Is he himself sure that his government can fulfil such promise with Aryun Singh, Lalu, Paswan and other SC/ST/OBC ministers and MPs hanging from his neck? And how students can have faith in such government which celebrates two years of reserved mind-set and eats dinner when students are going hungry?

CPM asks PM to evolve consensus on reservation

It is strange that Prakash Karat has asked PM to evolve consensus on reservation. All political parties are already having a consensus on reservation that it is an affirmative action for creating equal opportunities. The consensus is to be evolved between polticians and common Indian people and that is a remote-remote possibility.

But few things Karat has talked are a refereshing trend. He wants:
a) the creamy layer among SC/ST/OBC should be excluded from reservation,
b) economically weaker sections among upper class should also be given reservation.
c) increase seats in educational institutions (noting UGCs recommendation of 10% annual increase in the seats).

He has suggested to PM that government should prepare a proposal to be put up for a public debate so that widest agreement is reached before it is taken up for implementation.

Mandal-I and Rajiv Gandhi

Students, protesting against quota, have faxed a copy of former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s speech, delivered in Parliament on September 6, 1990, to UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. The late Rajiv Gandhi had blamed then PM VP Singh for igniting caste violence all over the country with the latter’s reservation proposal. It will quite interesting to see what stand Sonia Gandhi takes on her late husband’s views.

‘Youth for Equality’ argue – We are not against reservation, but for equal opportunity

Member of ‘Youth for Equality’ have issued a two-page argument to the media. It says “Ideally opportunities should be equalized before the competition starts. Equal opportunities for primary education and incentives to complete the same would lead to a higher level of literacy and subsequent better social life and standards of living”.

They argue that promoting those who are less meritorious, bestowing them with professional degrees and claiming that equality has been brought about seems to create a mirage of progress, but not actual progress. Current system of reservation does not seem to serve those deprived the most. Taking the argument further “Clearly, the entire 50% of population for which reservation is being sought is not receiving basic education or at least not efficiently. Perhaps strengthening the basic education system would decrease this disparity. Hence, the solution lies in ensuring basic education and initially, perhaps reservation at that level”.

Students also called for an in depth discussion on the benefits and drawbacks of the reservation system that has been in place for these years.

The wisdom of the youth is not understood by politically motivated oldies in the government. They should step aside and let youth come in and take the governance of the nation.

What your figures say?? Read them Mr. Arjun Singh

Latest educational statistics released by the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development, the pattern highlights failure of the government to ensure minimum quality of education to dalits after nearly a decade-and-half of quota raj. Does Arjun Singh not read reports of his own ministry?

While 73.24% class X SC students called it quits in 2003-2004, the figures for ST students was even worse at 79.25%. These high dropout rates are crippling enrolment of students from SC and ST at institutions of higher education. “Reservations at university level would not help unless students from backward section continue education till class X” – says a professor from DU. The point made by educationists is that reserved seats go vacant and this then feeds the arguments that quotas don’t work. Unless quality educational and sustained support at primary, middle and higher school is not available, the large section of disadvantaged SC and ST children will not benefit from official reservation policy.

“The well-placed group of the backward section would be better placed with such reservations. It would help the creamy layer of the backward section to grab a seat in the universities. Thus, the purpose behind the quota to uplift the backward classes would not be served” says the Professor.

Is this the way reservation will create social justice in Indian society?

A doctor's view-point

A doctor at AIIMS is my friend. Another doctor from AIIMS, who is an OBC, is also my friend. The OBC doctor said that everybody has a right to equal opportunities. The other doctor said that no body can disagree with this. But one should analyze what these equal opportunities are and where SC/ST/OBC are being denied these equal opportunities. As OBC doctor has made these comments in reference to reservation in higher educational institutions, it will be logical to make the analysis in this respect.

There is an entrance examination for getting admission in these courses. Any body desirous of pursuing higher education can appear in the exam. So eligibility opportunities to appear in the exam and getting admitted to the course are same for all. Why then some seats should be reserved for SC/ST/OBC? This reservation makes the opportunities unequal for those who do not belong to these communities.

Now do students belonging to these communities lack merit? Are they in any way inferior human beings in comparison to students of other communities. The only inequality I can find is that some of these students might not have necessary resources and exposure as some other students are having. What should be done to make the playing field level for all? Reservation can not do it, as without reservation some students might be having advantage over others (only in terms of resources and exposure) but after reservation this advantage will shift to other side. Inequality will remain may be in another form now. Earlier students belonging to SC/ST/OBC communities were at disadvantage. After reservation others have been put to disadvantage. What has the reservation done? Has it solved the problem? Has it brouight secial justice in society? No, the problem still remains. Injustice has only shifted from one group to another. Hatred for each other has also been added to the problem.

The only way out is to provide them equal opportunities in the form of resources and exposure. Give them free coaching. Let state take care of their fees, cost of books, stay in proper hostels to prepare for exam. Do everything for them so that they can compete on an equal playing field but NO RESERVATION. Don’t give crutches to them. Give them strength to stand on their own feet.

Social justice???

Social justice. What does it mean? Is it removal of injustice or shifting of injustice to other people. Let us discuss it with an example. One community feels that it is being subjected to injustice. What should government do - take appropriate long-term measures to remove the injustice OR shift this injustice on to the other community? So far, in last 55 plus years, successive governments have only taken short-term measures and shifted the burden of injustice from SC/ST/OBC communities to other (general) communities. What these short-term measures have achieved? A reprieve for a very short population of targeted communities, the newly created creamy layer. So, it has created a problem within the problem. Social justice is no where to be seen.