M A I L B A G

Time to scrap reservation of all kinds

It speaks volumes for the intellectual bankruptcy of public men that even after 55 years of the introduction of the pernicious policy of reservation, the most unjust provision of the law based on crass casteism has never been reviewed.

The policy was ab initio flawed because it was wrongly presumed that backwardness of a section of society could be eradicated by impairing the administrative fabric of the country, besides lowering the academic standards. The empirical evidence shows that reservation, instead of achieving the touted aims, has eaten into the single major cause for the spread of graft in the country.

While reservation helps the undeserving to get jobs on a platter, extra salary could also be had without any moral compunction. The general category of the government employees resort to corruption on the ground that what has been robbed of them by the reservation should be compensated by unethical practices and corruption. It is time reservation was rescinded.

GEETANJALI KORPAL, Advocate, Amritsar

II

The editorial “Passed at last” (Dec 23) stands out in the usual discussion that has begun in public, not on the merits of reservation but on its demerits. It is argued that reservations take away opportunities from equally meritorious students from other social classes. In a society like ours, such a mendacious argument has usually been difficult to negate.

There is always someone who has scored fewer marks in the tests who gets the benefit of reservation. However, marks in tests themselves are a function of social, emotional, psychological benefits that a person from a more privileged background obtains by virtue of his/her position. To balance it out a little, by providing a leg-up to those from a less privileged background is entirely correct.

Moreover, while not compromising the position of merit in society, it would be wrong to presume that private schools and colleges provide admission only to the meritorious. They already practise, though unstated, a policy of only allowing the wards of the rich and the famous into their portals. By allowing the weaker sections’ entry into these schools and colleges, the government has only corrected a serious imbalance.

RAJIVLOCHAN, Panjab University, Chandigarh

III

The 104th Constitution (Amendment) Act is most unfortunate. Political parties are unanimous on this issue because they would like to protect their vote banks. Parliament should not have scuttled the Supreme Court ruling in August declaring reservations as unconstitutional.

All kinds of reservation must go. I am all for helping those living below the poverty line. Every citizen should enjoy equal rights and there should be no division on the basis of caste, creed, sex or religion just for the sake of votes.

S. K. NAYAR, Panchkula

IV

Most Dalit politicians are quite rich and are ensconced as MLAs, MPs and Ministers for two to three decades. Let some poor Dalit leaders be given opportunity to take their seats. The creamy layer should voluntarily give up their reserved seats in favour of the poor and contest elections on the general category. The rich politicians should know that caste-based reservations breed discontent and discrimination.

S.S. KAILEY, Bathinda

Panchayat elections in HP Having seen violence in the recent elections to the panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) in Himachal Pradesh, which is otherwise a peaceful state, I suggest the Election Commission to modify certain rules to ensure more peaceful and purposeful elections. The electoral rolls for PRI elections should have the names of those who have immovable properties in the local bodies concerned. Those without any property must have resided in the area for five years for the inclusion of their names in the rolls. For, such voters would be more concerned about the welfare of their respective areas. The panchayat election results should be declared at the Tehsil headquarters of the local bodies concerned. This will provide security to the polling officials and help calm down the high emotions of the elected and defeated candidates. These changes will help strengthen the most essential basic structure of Indian democracy. KHUSHHAL THAKUR, Rampur Bushahar (HP)