The Politics of Caste

The recent decision of the Congress Government in Delhi to reserve 49.5% of all job and educational opportunities in the public domain for SCs, STs and OBCs has deeply divided the Indian Middle Class, and has raised strong passions on both sides.(Read for pro-reservation and for anti-reservation views).Major social changes are blowing in the wind.The following summarizes the current situation:

1. Opponents of reservation generally accept reservations( amounting to 22.5%) for SC/STs.They resent the additional 27% for OBCs.




2. The policy of the Congress to support reservation for OBCs is a departure from its earlier stand.(Read Rajiv Gandhi's views expressed in the Lok Sabha in 1990.)Since the Mandal Commission report has been around for over 25 years, it is seen as a political move to counteract a political threat, or to gain some perceived political advantage.




3. The Congress will gain OBC votes at the expense of OBC-oriented parties such as the RJD in Bihar and the Janata Dal in UP.They could gain votes in Andhra and Karnataka.On the other hand they will concede the centrist ground , possibly to the BJP and (perhaps) the Communist parties.Since reservations are irreversible, the change in favour of the BJP and Communists can be expected to be permanent.




4. Since it is the youth at the threshold of their careers, in the 18-25 age group that will have to make immediate sacrifices, they will immediately turn against the Congress.Whether this behaviour will persist, or will die down with time is a moot question.




5. India had built up some (not many) centres of Higher Education of world class( the IITs,IIS,IIMs) by ensuring academic autonomy, and merit-based admission of students and faculty.With half of the admissions now to be made on political considerations, their quality will see a downturn which will be apparent when the new entrants graduate.Whether the Institutes will eventually regain their current levels of excellence is something only the future will tell.




6. Those aspiring for government jobs based on open competition will see a reduction in opportunities.They have to redirect their goals, and compete in the Corporate sector, or perhaps engage in self-employment.




7. Mercifully, all the resentment on date is directed against politicians and their parties.If agitation ever takes the form of inter-community hostilities, dark days will dawn on the Indian nation for a long time to come.