Reservation policy

The reservation policy has resulted in the horizontal proliferation of benefits to only the better-off among eligible sections, thus perpetuating inequalities (“A new edifice for reservations”, Sept.3). There needs to be synergy between those in the government willing to act rationally on reservation and those among the elites in marginalised sections, who out of a sense of renunciation, would be willing to give up many of the benefits for the overall good of those less privileged in their own communities.

Abhinav Sharma,

Ludhiana, Punjab

 

Even after decades, primary education and health care are still inaccessible to many. To bridge the widening gap, reservation is essential. Therefore, the benchmark for entry into the “reserved” class should be based on economic grounds. I have come across people in dire conditions even when they are from the so-called “upper caste”. The idea of reservation based on per-capita income has to come in vogue so that the privilege is not extended to the children of those who are financially stable after reaping the benefits of reservation. 

L.S. Kumar,

Hyderabad

 

The writer’s point about caste as a criteria for affirmative action contradicts the very need to end caste-based discrimination in our country. The foremost step is to abolish the very notion of “caste” prevalent in society. The writer’s proposed solution of excluding the privileged among the backward classes simply boils down to reservation solely on the basis of economic criteria rather than caste-based reservation. Moreover, the idea of giving weightage to marks within OC amounts to reservation within OC as well. There is a need for reservations but there must be a more rationalised approach towards it based on economic backwardness. Affirmative action which was sought to be a temporary process seems to have cemented its position in Indian society, and no politician wishes to raise this issue simply because it impacts his vote bank. 

Agam Singh Bedi,

Mohali, Punjab

 

Having economic backwardness as the sole criteria for reservations is not a viable option in the Indian context as there is no specified formula for its calculation. Also, economic backwardness is a dynamic concept per se. The best possible way forward is to dis-reserve the creamy layer and strengthen options to extend economic help to the underprivileged from all categories. 

Rahul Balhara,

Rohtak, Haryana