Why Should India Have Reservation Policies?

India's reservation policies have been initially introduced to address the developmental needs of poor individuals from marginalized castes, religions, regions, and genders. These policies are designed to ensure political empowerment, educational opportunities, and employment for these groups. While the initial framework limited reservations to 50%, with some states increasing this to 70%, safeguarding various castes and groups, there are significant concerns about the current state of these policies. They have, to a large extent, been misused and have failed to serve their intended purpose effectively.

Historical Introduction of Reservation Policies

Reservation policies can trace their roots to two historical figures: William Hunter and Jotirao Phule. These policies were initially aimed at promoting development among the poorer sections of society, ensuring they had equal educational and employment opportunities. In 1950, the Indian Constitution introduced reservations for scheduled castes and tribes (SC/STs) at 50%, with some states expanding this to 70%. Other categories such as Backward Classes (BCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Specific Tribal Groups were also included. On the islands of Lakshadweep, the reservation policies are even more strict at 100%.

Current State of Reservation Policies

In states like Andhra Pradesh, the reservation quotas are broken down as follows:

BC A (Upper Backward Classes): 25% BC B (Middle Backward Classes): 7% BC C (Lower Backward Classes): 1% BC D: 7% BC E: 14% SC (Scheduled Castes): 25% ST (Scheduled Tribes): 7%

Despite these quotas, there are significant issues. Many reservation holders, regardless of their qualifications or performance, do not utilize the educational and government facilities intended for them. Some even fail to secure the available government jobs. In the education sector, there are instances of middle-class students benefiting from reservations, rather than those from genuinely marginalized communities.

Effectiveness and Misuse of Reservation Policies

The current system has led to a misuse of reservation slots and has undermined the original intent of these policies. For instance, in semi-urban areas in tier 3 cities, such as the author's experience, casteism plays a significant role in the distribution of these benefits. The author's own story highlights how a student who topped in a social studies exam, receiving 93 marks, was rewarded, while the author, who scored higher, did not receive any recognition. These covert and overt discriminations highlight the challenges faced by genuinely marginalized individuals.

Despite high-level accommodations, such as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) privatizing public sectors like railways and banks, including educational institutions, the implementation of reservation policies has become flawed. This is evident in backlogs and unfulfilled vacancies in Andhra Pradesh, where more than 5,000 reservations remain unfilled. The government's failure to honor these reservations in the public sector means that they are not being utilized effectively.

Conclusion

Reservation policies in India, introduced with the best intentions, have evolved into a system that is often misused and ineffective. While these policies aim to create a level playing field for underprivileged individuals, they have instead become a source of tension and disappointment. It is crucial for the Indian government to revisit and reform these policies to ensure they serve the original purpose of promoting social justice and equality.