Reservation for Economically Backward: Another Jumla!

Ram Puniyani
January 18, 2019

Indian caste system has been a big obstacle to the journey towards equality. With Independence and the Indian Constitution coming into being, the provisions were made for socially backward classes for reservations for SC and ST. Later in 1990, VP Singh when faced with the threat to his power from Choudhary Devilal, implemented to report of Mandal Commission which gave 27% of reservation to other backward castes. This was in addition to the already existing quota for the ST and SC. Lately there have been demands from dominant castes like Jats, Marathas, Patels and others for reservations for them. The state Governments have been in dilemmas about these demands, for some of which massive agitations have been launched in recent history.

Coming in this backdrop is the BJP led NDA Government has introduced 10% reservation for the economically backward upper castes. The Central Cabinet gave approval to the same and the Parliament has passed the amendment for its implantation. At the same time ‘Youth for Equality’, which has been opposing the very concept of reservation on the grounds that only merit should be the criterion for jobs has challenged this in the Supreme Court. What is interesting is that BJP as a party has been in the forefront of ideological battle opposing the concept of reservations. Long agitations and movements have been witnessed in the past led by the right wing people opposing the very concept of reservation. The anti reservation riots of Ahmadabad in 1980s were against the quota for dalits. These witnessed massive violence against dalits. Similarly in 1985 onwards another series of violence was unleashed against the principle of reservation in promotion in jobs.

In the wake of Mandal Commission implementation the only party to oppose it was Shiv Sena. The other major outfit conceptually opposed to reservations and beating the drum of merit has been BJP. For electoral purpose it did not come forward to openly oppose the Mandal Commission. In place it went on to strengthen its Kamandal politics, the Ram temple politics, which polarized the society along religious lines leading to massive violence. Youth for Equality has been constantly opposing reservation of all and any types. It is now in Supreme Court.

The upper limit of reservations so far has been set to a total of 50%, with this 10% additional it will go up to 60%. Will it be legally tenable, needs to be seen. The definition of economically backward defies all the logic, what has been proposed is that all those having an annual income of below 8 Lakhs per year, having a household less that1000 square feet and having land less than 5 Acres will be put in this category. If we see the rough estimates around these parameters, over 90% of Indian population will be eligible for this 10% reservation, in effect it is like neutralizing the whole concept of affirmative action and surely poor of the upper caste are not going to benefit from it.

The points which emerge from this reservation initiative by this government show that its intention is not any way to help the poor upper caste to come up. So far in society those benefitting from quotas have been looked down in a humiliating way. It is to bypass this ST/ST/OBC reservation that the whole series of private colleges came up, where bypassing the merit, the money power was the major factor. The contradiction of merit versus money stood very much exposed during last many decades. While blaming the one’s coming from reserved category as being sub standard, the private colleges-donations and game of money has been the major player in the field of education. So while there has been opposition to the concept of reservation why this move, which in any way is not going to be of any use in bridging the divide of social-economic disparity.

It is interesting to note that while this move is being undertaken thousands of jobs are lying vacant; not being filled. In most of the areas, permanent work is being outsourced on contract to the temporary workers. The policy makers know that this move is not going to benefit the poor as new jobs are not being created. Be it the Government sector of the public sector, there is a massive stagnation in the jobs and that is what is leading to the frustration among the youth. When jobs are not being filled or created afresh what does the quota mean?

Mr. Modi came to power in 2014 on the promise of creating two crore jobs every year. Rather than creating more jobs he has landed up with reduction of jobs in informal sector due to demonetization. The ‘Make in India’ which was supposed to create jobs turned out to be a flop. With the growing unemployment not only we need think of our industrial policies but also focus on how we implement affirmative action. People are suffering due to social injustice and also due to discrimination on ground of religion. Rangnath Mishra Committee and Sachar Committee reports tell us the massive discrimination against Muslim minorities. How do we march towards a society with justice in this scenario? The short sighted Jumla led leaders cannot deliver justice or jobs. We need an inclusive government with inclusive agenda to address the ills of our society.

This so called reservation for economically backward section of society is yet another attempt by Modi-BJP to throw up another jumla, which has no content as for as implications on poorer upper caste is concerned. At another level bringing in economic criterion in the reservations is an admission of failure to alleviate poverty. It is also an attempt to undo the very basis of reservation as given in our Constitution, and that is social injustice, the social hierarchy. Reservation is not a poverty alleviation program, which any way needs to be undertaken. This again is just not possible by a government, which is more concerned about favoring big Corporate in its policy making.

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News Network
November 21,2024

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Prominent NRI community leader SM Syed Khalilur Rehman, fondly known as CA Khalil, passed away in Dubai on Thursday at the age of 86 after a brief illness.

Khalil had been admitted to Aster Hospital in Mankhool on Tuesday after experiencing severe leg weakness. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, he succumbed to a double heart attack that worsened his condition, his son Rais Ahmed confirmed.

The news of his passing has sent waves of grief across communities, particularly in his hometown of Bhatkal, Karnataka, where he was a celebrated figure. Tributes have been pouring in on social media, highlighting his significant contributions to international trade, social service, and education.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

A chartered accountant by profession, Khalil was a founding member of the Dubai chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), where he served as chairman from 1987 to 1994. His illustrious career included key leadership roles, such as general manager of Khaleej Times, group executive director of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, and vice-chairman of the Jashanmal Group of Companies.

He also chaired Maadhyama Communications and Sahil Online, a web-based news platform, and was a director and trustee of several media companies and charitable organisations in Dubai and India.

A Champion for Education and Philanthropy

Khalil’s impact extended far beyond his professional achievements. As president and general secretary of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen, he played a pivotal role in the development of educational institutions, including schools and colleges in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. His dedication to social upliftment earned him recognition from the Government of Karnataka, which honoured him with a prestigious award for his philanthropic contributions.

A Life Celebrated

The Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC) recently released a documentary celebrating Khalil’s remarkable life and service to the community—a testament to his enduring legacy.

CA Khalil is survived by his family and countless admirers across the globe. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian expatriates in the UAE and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to community service.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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Bengaluru: An estimated overall 10.14 per cent voter turnout was recorded during the first two hours, since the voting began for bypolls to three Assembly segments in Karnataka on Wednesday, election officials said.

The voting began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm.

More than seven lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in about 770 polling stations in Shiggaon, Sandur and Channapatna, where a total of 45 candidates are in the fray.

While Channapatna recorded 10.34 per cent voter turnout till 9 am, it was 10.08 per cent in Shiggaon, and 9.99 per cent in Sandur, election officials said.

Voters, including women and elderly were seen queuing up in front of polling booths in these segments.

By-polls for Sandur, Shiggaon, and Channapatna are necessitated, as the seats fell vacant following the election of their respective representatives -- E Tukaram of Congress, former CM Basavaraj Bommai of BJP, and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) -- to Lok Sabha in May elections.

As many as 31 candidates are in the fray from Channapatna, while Sandur and Shiggaon have six and eight contenders, respectively.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in the three segments for the smooth conduct of the polls.

The by-polls will witness a straight fight between the ruling Congress and BJP in Sandur and Shiggaon segments, while in Channapatna, JD(S) which is part of the NDA alliance is in contest against the grand old party.

Among the three segments, Channapatna is considered to be a "high profile", where the contest is between C P Yogeeshwara, a five time MLA from the segment and former Minister, who joined the Congress quitting BJP ahead of nomination, and actor-turned -politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is Kumaraswamy’s son and former PM H D Deve Gowda's grandson.

BJP's Bharath Bommai, son of Basavaraj Bommai, is fighting Congress Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, who had faced defeat against the former Chief Minister in the 2023 Assembly polls, in Shiggaon.

Bharath Bommai and his father cast their vote at a polling booth in Shiggaon segment.

In Sandur, Bellary MP Tukaram's wife E Annapurna of Congress is contesting from the seat vacated by her husband, against, BJP ST Morcha president Bangaru Hanumanthu, who is considered close to party leader and former mining barron G Janardhan Reddy.

Annapurna, Tukaram and other family members cast their votes at a booth in the segment.

With Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Bharath Bommai contesting, the third generation of Gowda and Bommai families are in the fray in this by-poll. Both their fathers and grandfathers have served as Karnataka's Chief Ministers in the past.

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News Network
November 10,2024

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Mangaluru: A tragic accident took place on Saturday at Chembugudde near Thokkottu, claiming the life of a 47-year-old woman after a tanker lorry ran over her. The victim, identified as Rahmat H Rashid, was riding pillion with her husband, Abdul Rashid G, on their scooter. 

The couple was traveling from Yenepoya Hospital to Bajpe when the scooter skidded on the poorly maintained road. Rahmat fell onto the road and was fatally struck by a tanker lorry that was coming from behind. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The incident prompted a swift response from the DYFI Ullal Taluk Committee, which staged a protest on Saturday night, condemning the unsafe condition of the road. Nithin Kuthar, president of the committee, criticized MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader for failing to ensure safe infrastructure, despite touting the road as toll-free. 

Kuthar demanded immediate repairs, warning that the committee would march to the MLA’s office with black flags if the road is not fixed within a week.

Former DYFI State President Sunil Kumar Bajal also voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of Thokkottu market, highlighting the struggles people face while crossing roads riddled with dangerous potholes. In response to public outcry, temporary repairs were made to the road at Chembugudde on Sunday, though locals remain wary and demand a more permanent solution. 

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