As a country we take immense pride in being the largest democracy in the world. We talk and harp about the importance that we place on equality irrespective of what caste, class, religion, gender we belong to. Ouch! I just bit my tongue! And voluntarily so! Why am I even talking about class and caste? Aren’t these classifications supposed to be abolished? Aren’t we all equals?
Who are we trying to fool? Without mincing words I shall say that on one hand we staunchly oppose the caste/class system and on the other hand we openly declare reservations. SC, OBC, and who knows what else. If this is not irony then what is?
The education system is uniform (and please don’t get me going about that!). Whatever class, caste, creed, or religion I am, the education as far as the syllabus, teaching methods, facilities, don’t differ. The examinations and testing methods are the same for all. But as soon as I, as a student, pass my S.S.C.E., H.S.S.C., or Graduation, the irony gets mobilised. Admissions to Higher Secondaries, Colleges, Universities, etc. are subjected to reservations. Furthermore, after that, getting jobs in the public sector are also subjected to the same irony of reservations.
Somebody please stand up and justify to me why as equals we should be subjected to such differences. I don’t in any way support this system. But I would still say that since the Indian Constitution has certain provisions for Reservations there should be some amendments made.
Let me for an instance become the devil’s advocate. If at all there have to be reservations, then it should start at grass root level, at least with education. The system should be different for the ST, SC, and OBC. Please don’t tell me that you will teach and test me on the same level and then when it comes to admissions and job postings you will evaluate me on the basis of reservations and hand over a college seat or a job placement to someone else who has fared less than me just because he or she belongs to a “lower caste”!
I study and slog just like the next person and obtain say a 70% in a certain examination and I lose out on a seat in an institution of my choice or a job placement just because the next person who scored a 60% got the seat/placement by way of reservation. Again I ask: how is that fair?
We talk of equal opportunities for all; equality is given paramount importance today. So why are we still glorifying the reservation system? In this case we might as well bring back the ‘untouchable’ system and follow it openly. Why are we being hypocrites?
I have no hard evidence to prove it, but it is an open secret about what happens in the name of class/caste reservations. How we can take care of this is out of my knowledge and I would require expert advice on this matter. Isn’t there anyone else who agrees with me when I say that we are living a hypocrisy?
I for one want to get past this. I want to progress. I want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all. No looking up or looking down on anyone. Everyone is equal and everyone should be treated equally.
