There is no reason the following post has to be sensitive. I dont want to add any disclaimers or warnings. Just read on.
As far as i know, Caste System evolved after classifying people based on the work they did. The nation and its people cannot wipe out the discrimination and exploitation the Upper Class had made over the Lower Class. Thanks to many leaders and many events that changed the air. There are still random occurances of pungent events that spit on our faces. Caste based discrimination and exploitation still exists. But unlike earlier, there are laws to protect the weak.
Fine. Hot topic now. There's been reservation since India got independance. We can now see the purpose solved. People have come up considerably than they were in 1947. The reservation did help people to get on Schools, Colleges and Jobs (And Promotions too, which is the arrogant part of reservation in Government Jobs). The reservation will still prevail to be there and help people get Equal opportunities in the society. The facts cannot be denied, and the Current reservation system has been instrumental in the upcoming of the Backward Classes. Hats off !
Now, "Equal Opportunities" is what troubles us. What has happened to the so called Forward Castes ? ARE THEY ALL COMFORTABLE IN THE SOCIETY ? NO !
I dont have statistical data to prove. But many average students who fall under the Forward Caste FEEL BAD for having born in that caste. WHY ? Because, had they been in some other Caste, they would have got the EC Seat in the X College. They are denied a seat which is empty, because the other caste guy may come.
"A study done by the IITs themselves shows that 50 per cent of the IIT seats for the SCs and STs remain vacant, and for the remaining 50 per cent, 25 per cent are the candidates who even after six years fail to get their degrees. So, clearly, in their case, reservations are not working." - Says IBNLive ! (Damn ! CNN... how can they talk about Caste on a Public Media ?)
How many disappointed faces dreamt ot IIT ? How will they bear it, if they knew they were denied a seat which remained empty for ever ? Anyways, whatever is said might be just one place where things arent working as per the objective, but thats not the point.
The Issue is "Increasing the OBC percentage to 27 %". That makes more suffocation in the OC compartment. Arjun Singh's Interview in CNN-IBN is clear in one point. The Parliament is almost through with this. Iam not sure if there are enough OBCs to take the seats, but Iam Damn sure that there are more than enough canditates who will die of suffocation in the OC category.
It is high time India starts rethinking of its reservation policies. It should be based on the Income of the family and not the caste. Downtrodden people are now available in all the castes. ALL THE CASTES. But IIT application costs differently for OC and SC. What happens to a poor guy in OC ? Who cares, huh ? The reservation policy needs a perspective vision. It has to address the OC.
And as far as education and higher education are concerned, Only the Merit should speak. Why talk of caste there ? "You studied hard enough to get here. You got good marks in Plus 2. You have good marks in TNPCEE. But sorry, No seat here for OC ! Try some other college.". Why should a student worry about his Caste, when he seeks education ?
This is what precisely happened to the Backward Classes long back in India. Denial. Is that the purpose of the Reservation System, Revenge ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uma is offended by what I wrote on Chennai Metroblog, and so are many other people. Kaps says we need to maintain neutrality on Collaborative Blogs to gain Confidence of the people .
Uma asks, Is Metro blog is the place to spread one's personal political message ?
Share my perspective, may be. But I left the Comments section open. It was discussable. It is still democratic. I writing about Saravana Bhavan Pongal, is just blogging. If you think thats a Promotion to Saravana Bhavan, at free of cost, So be it.
There was an event against the upcoming revision in reservation policy. Who should join the protest ? People who believe that Merits should get a seat in colleges, and not caste.
How have I offended you Uma ? For what reason ?
Anyways, Chennai Metroblog has suggested to "keep away from talking sensitive issues on Metroblog".
I wont, anymore.
Peace !
As far as i know, Caste System evolved after classifying people based on the work they did. The nation and its people cannot wipe out the discrimination and exploitation the Upper Class had made over the Lower Class. Thanks to many leaders and many events that changed the air. There are still random occurances of pungent events that spit on our faces. Caste based discrimination and exploitation still exists. But unlike earlier, there are laws to protect the weak.
Fine. Hot topic now. There's been reservation since India got independance. We can now see the purpose solved. People have come up considerably than they were in 1947. The reservation did help people to get on Schools, Colleges and Jobs (And Promotions too, which is the arrogant part of reservation in Government Jobs). The reservation will still prevail to be there and help people get Equal opportunities in the society. The facts cannot be denied, and the Current reservation system has been instrumental in the upcoming of the Backward Classes. Hats off !
Now, "Equal Opportunities" is what troubles us. What has happened to the so called Forward Castes ? ARE THEY ALL COMFORTABLE IN THE SOCIETY ? NO !
I dont have statistical data to prove. But many average students who fall under the Forward Caste FEEL BAD for having born in that caste. WHY ? Because, had they been in some other Caste, they would have got the EC Seat in the X College. They are denied a seat which is empty, because the other caste guy may come.
"A study done by the IITs themselves shows that 50 per cent of the IIT seats for the SCs and STs remain vacant, and for the remaining 50 per cent, 25 per cent are the candidates who even after six years fail to get their degrees. So, clearly, in their case, reservations are not working." - Says IBNLive ! (Damn ! CNN... how can they talk about Caste on a Public Media ?)
How many disappointed faces dreamt ot IIT ? How will they bear it, if they knew they were denied a seat which remained empty for ever ? Anyways, whatever is said might be just one place where things arent working as per the objective, but thats not the point.
The Issue is "Increasing the OBC percentage to 27 %". That makes more suffocation in the OC compartment. Arjun Singh's Interview in CNN-IBN is clear in one point. The Parliament is almost through with this. Iam not sure if there are enough OBCs to take the seats, but Iam Damn sure that there are more than enough canditates who will die of suffocation in the OC category.
It is high time India starts rethinking of its reservation policies. It should be based on the Income of the family and not the caste. Downtrodden people are now available in all the castes. ALL THE CASTES. But IIT application costs differently for OC and SC. What happens to a poor guy in OC ? Who cares, huh ? The reservation policy needs a perspective vision. It has to address the OC.
And as far as education and higher education are concerned, Only the Merit should speak. Why talk of caste there ? "You studied hard enough to get here. You got good marks in Plus 2. You have good marks in TNPCEE. But sorry, No seat here for OC ! Try some other college.". Why should a student worry about his Caste, when he seeks education ?
This is what precisely happened to the Backward Classes long back in India. Denial. Is that the purpose of the Reservation System, Revenge ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Uma is offended by what I wrote on Chennai Metroblog, and so are many other people. Kaps says we need to maintain neutrality on Collaborative Blogs to gain Confidence of the people .
Uma asks, Is Metro blog is the place to spread one's personal political message ?
Share my perspective, may be. But I left the Comments section open. It was discussable. It is still democratic. I writing about Saravana Bhavan Pongal, is just blogging. If you think thats a Promotion to Saravana Bhavan, at free of cost, So be it.
There was an event against the upcoming revision in reservation policy. Who should join the protest ? People who believe that Merits should get a seat in colleges, and not caste.
How have I offended you Uma ? For what reason ?
Anyways, Chennai Metroblog has suggested to "keep away from talking sensitive issues on Metroblog".
I wont, anymore.
Peace !
8 comments:
Keerthi, will revisit how i feel about the caste issue over the weekend. Got to run right now, I still standby how I felt two days yesterday Metro blog is not the place for discussion of caste stuff.
So you guys are going to mark Taboo topics and keep away from them! Well then your Metblog would be nothing but an alternate to Hindu Metroplus. Any Chennai citizen would have access to newspaper by 6 AM much before he thinks to use the Net.
There can be some socially disturbing issues that never gets approved through the press hierarchy, I think that's where you guys can pitch in and show you're unbiased.
Have norms for the way of expression and not by imposed social stigma.
Few days back Rediff had an excellent article "Are Brahmins becoming the Dalits of the past?" It was well researched, and revealed the facts about how the low-skilled, poor Brahmins would suffer by this law. Nothing is stigma as long as your point is fair and straight.
Btw, I think those starting words were quite strong, it assumes that they (people who have the most privileged community tag now) are going to bask on this free ride, It would hurt people with conscience.
Hi Keerthi,
Thanks for writing such an incisive piece on the reservation issue.
I am a researcher in Delhi university and I am exploring ways in which blogs are helping people to network. I would appreciate if you could pull off some time and visit my research blog at http://nmsoc.blogspot.com and write about something your blogging experiences.
In case you do not feel like submitting your writeup on my blog, you can email me at newmedia.soc@gmail.com.
In case you feel I can interview you through e-mails, do dash me a mail at my aforementioned address. I will get back to you.
Cheers!
Asim
Keerthi,
My main point was about the provocative tone of your post. A sensitive topic like reservations could have been handled in a better manner.
Kaps: Touche.
"Who should join the protest ? People who believe that Merits should get a seat in colleges, and not caste."
Not quite. There are also people like me who are opposed to the current reservation system, but would support a better system where the quota and the castes included are under constant purview using quantitative data and not influenced by politicians. Such people would also attend it.
Basically you are taking a particular viewpoint in anti-reservation and projecting that as the only viewpoint, which is not correct.
Keerthi, first, I am against reservation in higher education and at specialised fields like medicine but not totally against reservation - why?
I was against reservation too until I saw my house maid's daughter. She studied in a corporation school, worked at homes in the daytime and evenings, could not afford tuitions, guides, notebooks and other accessories like a study table, a room all for herself but inspite of all such odds, she managed to score 850+ in her 12th. Now if I, with access to all the facilities above, were to score 80%, would I be better off than the girl? What would be the criterion for admission to education here - just the marks?
But at the same time, caste is irrelevant. Its more to do with the economic status of the person/family.
When you and I talk against reservation, its probably because we have never seen the other side! Give a thought!!
Hi,
I used to read your blog at times though not regularly. Thanks to my friend, who gave the link to this post.
You r right!! I am totally supporting your points. I am not toatlly against reservation but i too wanna strongly say "RESERVATION SHOULD BE MADE BASED ON INCOME AND NOT COMPLETELY BASED ON THE CASTE"
Even i have felt this many a times and you have opened up. Thankyou!! The main reason could be me being a O.C candidate from a normal middle class family who has felt for being an O.C candidate!
Governement should try to bring up the brilliant students who have poor economic background, instead of doing descriminations based on Caste and increasing so much of seats for the reservation.
Thanks,
Varalakshmi
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