An Interview with a Professor Navniit Gandhi, who is lecturer in Political Science Department, L.U. & M.V. College, Andheri.
An Interview…
Q.1. What are the origins of the issue of Reservation in India? What are your views on Mandal Commission?
Caste base reservation in India started with the inception of constitution. The initial provision of reservation under the constitution was originally ment for 20 years. But every consequent government has extended this provision for further years there since. The scenario only changed when the Mandal commission is came with its drastic recommendation in the year. The Mandal commission was formulated with aim of evaluating and analyzing the salient features of reservation across India and all the while came out with the recommendation and likely policies for the issue of reservation. This commission is under the chairmanship of Supreme Court Retired Justice B .P. Mandal. The report of the commission reiterated and supported the idea and the use of quota system. A commission also approved the government’s policies decision making in the reservation concept. Apart from the providing or allocating a quota of 27% for OBC’s in government’s job. The constitution says that there should be a commission set up to look into the condition of ST’s and SC’s appointed y the President every 5 years. Regularly such commissions were set up in accordance the provision of the constitution and they use to submit their report to the President. The Mandal commission is remembered more because of its drastic recommendations in which it is providing the quota of 27% also for OBCs.
This was unheard of and created and created a storm across India by raising controversies over controversies. The main reason why a need of reservation was felt in India was because there was always a section in the society, which was discriminated against and were never given an equal opportunity and allowed to be the best that they can be. This discrimination was either by virtue of a sections gender, caste or their economical status. This rendered them vulnerable and there was a feeling that this section won’t be able to keep pace with the rest of society and in India in general. The reservation was primarily meant to lend this vulnerable section a helping hand, which would assist them in catching up with the rest and provide a level playing field. It was this reasons stated above that this special provision was moulded in the competition at the behest of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who was a strongest proponent of reservation in India. But even Dr. Ambedkar agreed that it is only a temporarily solution. So at the onset it was decided that the provision of reservation would be only be introduced for a total term of 20 years but sadly it has not been the case. He had felt that it would make people more conscious about their status and condition. It will only end up creating a new of distinction between the reserved and the un-reserved. What this will end up doing is increase the animosity. Rather than uniting people, reservation could end up driving then further apart.
The form or concept of reservation hasn't changed much from the time of Dr. Ambedkar, reservation was more time bound, now it's been introduced for an infinite duration. Earlier the primary aim of reservation was to assist the vulnerable or neglected section of the society to get government jobs. Now, reservation has been introduced at the academical level and also at the corporate level. And also earlier there was no mention for women but now it's a common issue. And there is a common misconception that the British are responsible for introducing reservation .It was more the situation and the popular voices coupled with strong demand from some section of the society that prompted the introduction of reservation. And it is worth remembering that the demand for a separate electorate was also expressed by Indians, although these voices were in minority. Even a person of the stature of Mahatma Gandhi was against discrimination or favour in the basis of caste, creed or descent, but unfortunately he was forced to succumb to popular, no matter how unjustified the claims were. In the end Gandhiji used reservation as a tool to integrate the 'Harijans' & the untouchables of the society into the main stream National Movement for freedom. So it has to be said 'Gandhiji was starting to see the positives of reservation and wanted it to serve the people and the country to the best that it can.
Q.2. Do you in theory agree with the concept of reservation? Why?
I personally do not approve of any kind of reservation in any form or manner which includes the ‘Women’s Reservation Bill' and also the reservation in the private sector. According to me the only reservation that could be justified is at the education sector at the entry level. Also reservation would be more effective when it not only guarantees seats but also provides the needy and the reserved, education at a more concessional rate.
But after having secured the desired degrees or qualification, thereon performance, talent and merit should be the only deciding factor when accrediting merit or bestowing rewards.
Q.3. According to you, has the reservation proved useful or done the needful for people in any form or manner in a large scale? How?
Apart from a few exception where has been no real reason why one would term the policy of reservation as being successful. Only 2 to 3 % of the entire targeted population has been benefited from reservation. Reservation is being misused by this privileged at the cost of many more who are in much more need of it. Just to prove a point, why a child of IAS officer and a doctor would require reservation. No one can argue that their reservation either requires or warrants reservation .It is a case where the weaklings are being cannabalised by their own kind. This has resulted in a society, which is becoming more conscious and polarised on the lines of the reserved and the unreserved. This has resulted in growing frustration between these two sections.
Q.4. What is your opinion on the criticism that reservation completely goes against the secular principles of our country? Why?
It not only violates the secularist principle of the country also violates the right of equality and dignity of every citizen of the country. It is god’s grace that we haven’t introduced reservation based on religious lines. It is clearly violation of the article 14 and 15 of the constitution. What is this means in reality is that one provision of the constitution contradicts one particular article of the same constitution.
Q.5. Do you agree that the reservation only encourage mediocrity rather than excellence? Give reasons.
Although it can be argued that this is the case but also, has to be said, that it can not be generalized and considered all inclusive. Some sections and individuals have been able to make best use of the privilege that they enjoyed. They have been able to justify reservation by improving, working hard and computing and have justice to the post and by the work they have done. They have been able to set examples for others. But these cases are for and few and ultimately the result surely indicate that we are harboring a led back attitude and mediocrity in people. As a result people have started taking things for granted and being not committed to job responsibilities that they should be committed to. As a result of reservation student may not study as well as they could, politicians at the local bodies may not perform their responsibilities, as they should. And it is ultimately not healthy for the society.
Q.6. Why reservation is the sensitive issue in the country like India?
It is a sensitive issue because caste was factor in reservation. There are some bad memories and experiences that make people sour. For example a people belonging to the lower caste, have experienced hell and there life has been a pain for many, as they were treated in the most inhumane manner by privileged and the upper caste sections, and the stories of the inhumane treatment has been on from generation to generation. Another issue, which makes the topic sensitive, is the fact that, in today’s world opportunities is few and rewards are even fewer in number. Hence the competition is more among everybody, and the feeling that one is getting and enjoying an unfair advantage is very hard for some one to reconcile with. And this results in clashes and increasing friction among the various different sections of society.
It is most of the case when one individual by all indicators is entitled for a job, seat or rewards but is only being denied is right because of reservation, then its even more difficult and potentially explosive. This threat and sourness was realized when three students of Delhi university immolated themselves, on the news of the recommendation of the ‘Mandal Commission’. And now ‘Kranti Chowk’ was built in memory of the tragic event.
Q.7. Do you think the reservation policy of the government is credible or justified? Why?
According to me, it was only justified for the first 15 years and now it has thought us that, it has not been able to do the job it was designed for. It is time that the government scraps the policy of reservation in totality. I don’t agree with the all the seriousness of the government about this issue. If they were really serious, they would have already passed the ‘Woman’s Reservation Bill’ and also accepted recommendation in totality. What this implies that the government and the politicians in general want themselves to be shielded from the possible threats of reservations. They also want the domain to be kept clear from any sorts of interference by the so-called outsiders
Q.8. Do you think reservation is the right answer for protecting the vulnerable sections of our society? Can you please give reasons?
No, it is not the right approach, because it is not leading to any harmony between the various factions and groups in the society. Wasn’t that the original purpose of reservation. The bitterness and rivalry is only increasing because of it. It is only harbouring hate and sourness, rather than creating a level playing field and help in creating a level playing field and create a more balanced society, where people co-exist and thrive together. The right attitude would be to take the help of media and inform people that there is no distinction of people based on caste, religion or gender. Everyone is equal and nothing can change that, not even reservation, should be the aim of the government and the society at large. The only criteria on deciding the worthy candidates for reservation is the economical factor .If a family or individual is unable to pursue education because of his economic condition; he or she is entitled for reservation. Here the point to considered is that the candidate should be deserve an account of his talent and dedication and also potential.
Q.9. According to you, what are the major problems that reservation in India faces?
It not only violates the secularist principle of the country also violates the right of equality and dignity of every citizen of the country. It is god’s grace that we haven’t introduced reservation based on religious lines. It is clearly violation of the article 14 and 15 of the constitution. What is this means in reality is that one provision of the constitution contradicts one particular article of the same constitution.
Q.10. Is reservation being exploited by the politicians to achieve their vested interest? Why?
Yes, there cannot be two ways about it. If they were truly dedicated they would not have turned this issue into a political gimmick. And if that were not the case they would not have resorted to vote bank politics. The politicians only interested in the issue in this issue is that, it is just a tool for them to garner and collect easy votes. For the majority of the politicians, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Dalit a poor, a woman is only just a statistic or at most a vote. Their primary objective should have been developed of the country both with respect to the economy and the society at large, and not vote bank politics.
Q.11. According to you, who needs reservation the most?
I think there is completely no need of reservation at all. The think, that, we need the most, in the sense of fair play. What people require today is self-respect and dignity. A physically challenged individual is not seeking sympathy or alms. All he wants is self-respect. And looking at the technological advancements there is no reason why handicapped should not be able manage on his own. And women of today are not asking for reservation all they require all they require is all a level playing field and not a fake sympathy.
Q.12. What are the changes, suggestions and recommendations that you have for the reservation in India?
Abolish the policy of reservation all together.
