Sachin,
U wrote:
* There is another argument of merit. But why do people have no name for rich kids buying their way into engineering and medical colleges? Will they make good engineers\doctors because their parents money and\or connections has helped set them up in college, and then jobs? Are only Dalits worse doctors\engineers because they can’t afford a good break? People see the Dalit angle of merit, and forget the others, this is another form of that same prejudice that is in the society. This is why I’m in favour of it. It’ll at least lead to a level playing ground in the future.” *

Before asking others to do their homework, you should first do it yourself. The current OBC reservations are being proposed in IITs, IIMs and other central govt. funded universities. Have you ever heard of payment seats in these universities??? Do you think rich kids can buy their way into these colleges? I am sorry but you are totally mistaken. These are “INSTITUTES OF EXCELLENCE” and they take candidates based only on MERIT (and not based on religion, caste, state, influence or money) and they should continue to do so.

Instead of the honourable minister increasing the reservation in these universities, he should think of an alternative by which all the OBC candidates are made equally competitive. Why doesn’t he propose setting up primary and secondary schools in all states/cities/towns/villages exclusively for those without the opportunities, provide them with good teaching facilities and develop them into candidates who can get into these institutes of excellence on their own merit. This I would say would be true AFFIRMATIVE ACTION. Provide such solid foundation and there would be no need for any sort of reservations, be it in universities or jobs.

Is it vote bank politics? Of course, it is (Repeated one more time from other blog’s posts). Atleast its helping prejudiced people come up, who are citizens of India and not some illegal aliens.

What makes you think that businesses will so easily go elsewhere just because of having reservations and no other reason? Do you think HR managers will let unworthy people fill their open positions\or not fire them for being stupid (This point again repeated once more)? Read the link from my blog and you might notice that it might even help the over all economy.

How many companies have not paid bribes to get their water, electricity, etc.. approved (Repeated again…). Do you think they should not get these aminities too for this reason? One more reason to pay bribes? Yes, but atleast its helping prejudiced people come up in life.

I mention pre-1990s because the statistics are more clear and public. Start with google if you are really serious about a real objective argument. I’d have loved to but may be later for lack of time to give to what’s already out there, if you have open mindedly read any pro-reservation articles and stats. Most of the current net generation have been brought up in 1990s, so not mentioned. 1990s has brought in a lot of money and the gap has infact widened dramatically.

Its like another income tax. Lots of people will find ways to circumvent it. Why this ‘income tax’? Because people are making a hell of a lot of money, and not contributing back to the society (except may be likes of few biggies, but how many are they?), which has allowed it. The person who is cleaning his aircraft might be making double, but the person running it is definately making atleast 20 times pre-1990 salary.

There is another argument of merit. But why do people have no name for rich kids buying their way into engineering and medical colleges? Will they make good engineers\doctors because their parents money and\or connections has helped set them up in college,and then jobs? Are only Dalits worse doctors\engineers because they can’t afford a good break? People see the Dalit angle of merit, and forget the others, this is another form of that same prejudice that is in the society. This is why I’m in favour of it. It’ll atleast lead to a level playing ground in the future.

Caste prejudices have not gone away even with years of reservations, but it has helped bring up a lot of people from the prejudiced castes (This point Repeated too..). The prejudices have not gone even after such a long time speaks volumes about what our ‘educated’ countrymen are capable of. It suits the higher castes, so they will never let it go away. That’s why the need for special treatment (in the form of reservations).

A lot of arguments have been discussed, I hope you’ll find an original argument to discuss, rather than singing the same song in another tune. Please do a research and I can reconsider any argument if the facts point otherwise.

If you’re OK with India becoming another latin America or South Africa, then its your choice. I’m not.

Reservation is a side effect of prejuduces. Is it an ideal answer? No. Ideal answer would probably be elimination of discrimination by people in higher positions based on birth, or physical disability. The divide already existed, as you pointed out. Will it deepen? From the higher castes point of view, Yes, because they’ll feel the pinch of keeping this practise alive.

Niketan,

“All the worthy commentators forget that businesses need to make a profit and if a person hires somebody simply because of his caste(even though it may be his own caste)he risks losing money”

Sure enough. But then how do you explain the presence of ‘certain’ castes as the owners in many of the pre-1990s origin companies. All castes have good and bad people, the idea of reservation is to negate the discrimination against the good people from the under-prejudiced castes.

Is it a perfect system? No, but it works for a good number of people. Its almost entirely because of this that we today wee so many people from lower castes in positions of prominence in our society.

Regards
Niketan