19th June 2009, The Times of
Good Morning… yes, the morning is definitely good, because finally there’s a quota that works in my favour. Heaven knows what education minister Mr. Vikhe-Patil was thinking when he proposed a quota like that but nonetheless, its come as quite a relief to state board students, whose top percentages had always been eclipsed by the 98% scored by numerous students from the CBSE board, thanks to their very generous marking system… But this write-up is not about long standing State vs. CBSE debate. It’s about the very prevalent, very unfair quota system!
The caste difference, the concept of being (or unfortunately, not being) backward classes doesn’t hit you much, back in school. Toppers are toppers, marking system is equal, and no grace marks for being SC, ST or OBC. It first hits you when you go to junior college for admissions. When I was standing for the prospectus, I was really flummoxed when the clerk asked, “General or backward?” I was like, what the hell, how does it make a difference anyway? Still, I mumbled “General” and got hold of my prospectus. But as soon as I turned to the fees-structure page, I understood that her question was not baseless. It had a separate fees structure for the backward class! It came as a major shock! I mean what if someone is backward? His dad probably earns more than mine anyway, and still he’s the one who’s getting the concession? It seemed very unfair back then. But didn’t prick so much, because the college was Government aided and the fees were too nominal to be bothered about. Still, it ruffled me, maybe because it was my first tryst with inequality!
In due course, I learnt all the new terms related to this novel quota system- caste validation certificate, creamy layer, the different scholarships extended to them… but the intensity of its unfairness didn’t hit me, until recently. I had appeared for the Symbiosis Law Test and missed the cut-off by just two marks. But when I opened the site, I read- ‘Cut-off for SC students- 66.’ 66? That’s almost forty marks less than what I scored. The inequality, the discrimination, it hurt like hell. And I had no one to complain to, no one who would think I am talking sense. Like a friend of mine once ruefully remarked- “We are the open category, openly exploited!” Soon I learnt its nothing to complain about. This inequality existed everywhere; it didn’t matter whether the institution was government or private. Backward classes meant reservation, which, for us students, translated to just one word- partiality!
The Constitution of India is said to be a living document. We can amend laws or clauses which no longer hold true. So how come no one ever thought about amending the quotas? I am not against reservation, mind you. But I am against the facility of it being extended to people without considering whether or not they deserve it.
If reservations are to be given to the truly deserving, the economically backward classes should be getting it. They are the ones, who despite of having merit cannot pursue further education for the lack of financial resources. Only when this class is uplifted can we dream of a shining and empowered
Hold that thought!!
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