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November 16, 2004
Reservation and Prejudices of Private
Industry
By Praful
Sakya
Reservation: divided India
Reservation: Pride and prejudices
Reservation: devoid of execution
“Continual
denying the legitimates rights of the underprivileged in a vulgar and
manipulative form is shameful act of preventing people from taking part in
affairs, which properly concern them.”
Reservation, the moment subject pops-up the entire nation
thrust itself into heated debates. No
consensus. No alternative model in offer, if the reservation policy is to wind
up, to address the problem of such a grave concerns. It sparks off
controversies; spread hatreds and breeds conspiracy theory. One favors -- other
disfavors that unassumingly envelopes the entire nation into scorching flames
of divided opinions.
The
subject of reservation has always been like a draconic thunderbolt that keeps
popping every now and then over the looming dark clouds of social unrest.
It is quite a well-known historical fact and overtly
over-discussed that the reservation policy was came into effect for the
unfortunate, underprivileged and downtrodden sons of India, under the
guidelines of ‘Pune Pact’. The pact was signed with only one holy
assumption and purpose that it would secure future of 90 millions people (In
year 2001 the population recorded 250 millions) in the hands of rest of India
for not asking separate state of their own like Pakistan as was proposed by the
then ruling west-India company (England). The pact was meant for erasing the
blot of historical socio-economical wrongs inflicted upon millions of socially
depressed class, spanned thousands of years.
The initial period that was decided for the restructuring and to restore
them in the mainstream was flat 10 year with the provision for revision in case
continuation needed, depending upon the result the reservation policy would
achieve. It has now completed more than 50 years and still on. The major reason
cited-- ‘the holy purpose did not quite happen’.
There has been a constant nagging voice of protest,
despair and disapproval from some of the sections of privileged India against
the policy of reservation. “ The dark and ugly demon of reservation has been
looming over the future of our sons and we see no hope of its end - it is now
here to stay to shake our existence.” This line pithy sums up the frustration
of privileged Indians and they often vent it in the forms of protest rallies or
letters to the editors with headlines like: ‘ When will reservation end?’ or
‘revoke reservation’. It used to haunt the anxious parents and their
sons/daughters over the academic future and job prospectus.
The story of Reservation goes
back in the era when the nation was making ‘tryst with destination’ as
was, India’s freedom struggle, epitomized by Jawaharlal Nehru. And came the
time, it was brought on the brink of trifurcation: one for Hindus, second for
Muslims and third for backward community, before it could get a complete
sovereignty, as was the dividing formula devised by British. There is no
denying fact that Muslim community couldn’t be persuaded for not to split the
country mainly because some section of Muslims thought, partition was the only
way out to escape from the grip of Hindu majority. Moreover, they could get their share of land mainly because they
were quite firm on their demand and had monetary as well as mussel power. On
the other hand the scene was exactly opposite for the backward community led by
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, had he been a little ardent on his demand and had he
had required monetary and mussel support the present Indian structure would
have been more or less, like, without this so called perpetuating reservation
problem and both the communities would have lived happily there after.
Fortunately - or unfortunately this did not happen and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
had left with no option than to literally surrender, much against his wish, the
future of 90 million unfortunates in the hands of rest of India. Since then
there has been no substantial change in the lives of majority of the people
those have been covered under the protection of reservation policy.
The Pune Pact was signed between
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar as a representative of oppressed class and Mahatma
Gandhi was for Hindu community. But as
per the commission it was quite clear that the Oppressed class was
going to get a separate state of their own. It was Gandhiji who went on to
fast-unto-death against the England's proposal, at the Pune's Yerwada
Jail. He was continuously on the fast, but when Gandhiji's
health started deteriorating, finally on Spet.24,
1932, a pact was signed between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B.R.
Ambedkar, known as Pune Pact. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar consented on the formula
of reservation suggested by Gandhiji that in lieu of separate state the
backward community would get reservations in Jobs and education institutes. So
in a way Reservation is not something like a sort of burden on anyone it
is the legitimate right of backward community. But considering the precarious
plight of this community, from it’s quite apparent or seems that the policy
makers and executioner have ditched them and comprehensively failed in
delivering what has been decided.
The reservation for the SCs/STs is predominately in the
government sectors either for Job or education. Whatever small opportunities
for the SCs/STs in the government sector have been on constant decline because
of changing Industrial policies, socio-economic compulsions and part of
privatization move over the years by the successive governments that has
seriously hindered the growth of the SCs/STs. The recent government in finding
another avenues to resolve this problem has thought to exercise an option of
reservation for SCs/STs in private sectors.
I think, in the wake of this new problem and remedial
solution in offer has taken unfortunate turn, therefore, it has absolutely
become necessary to look at the problem of reservations through different angle
taking some of the past and contemporary social factors into
consideration.
When Manmohan Singh’s UDA alliance government has
put in place a group of minister (GoM) to examine the sensitive issue of
reservation for SCs/STs in the private sectors it has cast unromantic spell on
the Industrial heavyweight, like: Rahul Bajaj and the unity
exhibited by organizations like The Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI),
and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
against the panel is remarkable. What a fascinating way to exhibit the strength
of their unity against the interest of weaker section of India. Had they
displayed the same unity of purpose in opposing MNCs, WTO, Share-Market
Manipulators, defaulters, etc. it would have served the nation's interest
much better.
In the wake of recent controversy over the introduction of
reservation in the private sectors for SCs/STs, in his counteract, first, Mr.
Bajaj has threaten the Maharashatra state government, if it enact any
resolution favoring reservation for SCs/STs in private sector he may exercise
the option of winding the current set-up of his Industrial empire up and would
move it to any other state. Second, he knocked an article off ‘Devoid of Merit’
(TOI Spet. 2004). Central Idea: It will kill private sector and a person who
does not carry his designation on his sleeve. It is undemocratic temperament by
which Bajaj arrogates to oneself the role of final court of judgment of what is
right and what is wrong- self-induced mental black out. As Historian L.V. Namier's has rightly
mentioned in his book 'In the Margin of history"'' the weight of argument
is greatly depends up him who uses it: that of the strong has "force"
and carries " conviction": that of the weak if unanswerable, is
called quibble and opt to cause annoyance." As backward community is not
strong and has no power its concerns are likely to be dismissed as quibbles
against the powerful lobby of Industrial Institutions.
The reservation problem has now reached new heights that
one has to very openly and blatantly discuss what a person who does carry his
designation on his sleeve, has contributed for Indian Industrial development or
for that matter for the overall development of India?
It is quite unfortunate that Mr. Rahul Bajaj has inherited
only the empire of his grandfather and not the legacy of his Gandhian values of
inclusion of larger world. Moreover, there is no compulsion on any one that
what one should take and what not, but I hope the good sense sooner or later
prevail, and if not then, like any other privileged citizen of Republic of
India Mr. Bajaj is free to set his Industries anywhere in India that may only
help to Indian people. But then can his threatening step guarantees that
continued denial of backward community’s rights will not lead to a socially
explosive situation. It is not the biggest sin to first set ‘evil social
Pride and Prejudices’ and surreptitiously acting on that would only
degrade humanity much against the will of the great creator?
One should not
forget that acting on social ‘Pride and prejudices’ is the fundamental
characteristic of an insane businessman.
Like a prudent businessmen, they should, in their own interest, offer to set
things right. Otherwise to these oppressed class, it would then be no wonder,
the major strike on the Industrial establishments by moist in Nepal, if becomes
the first and foremost example to emulate.
They should not forget that these people have nothing to lose -- over
the years they have been stripped off from all the socio-economic powers. The
only thing that they have is backwardness, self-perpetuating poverty, no locus
standi in society, menial work, hatred, etc.
It would be no wonder if they decide to fight back considering they have
nothing to lose.
Lets
see the performance sheet of Indian Industries and the over all contribution of
it in the over all India’s development.
It was the East-Indian (British) company who laid down the
foundation of Industrial development as a mean to achieve its own interest
during Indian’s pre-independent ear. After independence the growth of Indian
Industries mainly attributed to joint ventures, as we had no capacity and
requisite technology to do so. Today’s major Industrial houses like TVS had
tie-up with Suzuki, Hero with Honda, Tata with other Industries of its
interests and Bajaj Industry was no exception to it and had trade relations
with Piaggio of Italy in 1960 and later with Kawasaki.
Moreover, to safeguard the interest of Indian industrialist the
successive government has been adopting the policy of joint ventures and helped
it from being directly exposed to the competitions against the big
multinational companies, in whose competition the Indian Industries would
definitely have crumbled like house of cards. Some of the companies still have
continued their tie up and some started producing independently. But
unfortunately today’s situation is no different than what it was before 30 to
35 years back. Over the years we have perfected the act of copying instead of
finding the innovative and indigenous methodology of productions. Until the
year 2001, almost all the big Industrial houses were only producing the copied
version of respective partners’ products. The industrial empire well equipped
with almost all imported m/c from other countries with the help of huge
concessions, quotas and rebates have only been playing second fiddle in the
overall arena of Industrial products design, research and developments.
Over the years the brilliant employees have mastered the
art of copying, be it manufacturing, medicinal plant, electronic appliances,
consumables, etc. Let Mr. Rahul Bajaj
count us some of the remarkable achievements of his industry in the field of
vehicle making methodologies, research and development areas or for that matter
substantial contribution of any Indian Industry in the field of science and
technology. The Americans, Japanese and European Industrialist always aim
at better service, quality products at economical prize and they thrust
more on Research of new techniques that would aims at innovative methods of
production.
Industrial personality and visionary like
Ford established his Industrial Empire on the motto " I'll make cars that an average
American can buy". The very reason why Americans, Japanese or
Europeans are making huge strides in product innovation and development that is
because they have many Industrialists, who subscribe to the Ford’s like motto,
their mind set for innovative strategies, thrust on solving their own problems
and bring about revolutionary changes in the living standard of human lives.
Sam Pitroda, chairman Worldtel, said in one of his lectures: " In India
technology is seen as something urban exotic, fancy, sexy, opposed to
problem-solving. Every bit of technology requires focus on solving-problems of
our own.” And it is very unfortunate we are lacking in it most. The
greatest discovery Indian industries have so far made is finding new means of
selling the copied products – like alluring them to offer easy finance. And
putting the brand name of Indian company on the products of other countries and
selling them here by paying huge royalties.
Sam Pitroda has rightly described, “ India is very
complex. Indian is land of contrast. Whatever I say you will say exactly
opposite and I will have to agree with you. That is India. If I say it can be
done, you can say, easily in five minutes, convince me it can’t be done”. And I think this is what happened in the
case of Rahul Bajaj. He is so convinced and been convincing other, the
reservation policy in private sectors cannot solve the problem.
Let’s count some of the hard facts. Since over 50 years, American, and Europe
industrial giants, whom we have been copying to-- have remarkably made it
possible that if a government and countrymen, if ready, can solve any problem
of worst and complex nature. They made it possible and proved it in the case of
racially discriminated people of their countries. If we juxtapose the problem of
racial discrimination and caste discrimination then we have to agree upon the
fact that former have been able to raise their socio-economical condition
substantially with the help of their country’s policies; the execution success
is such an amazing and remarkable because of which they have scaled grater
heights of improvements in their lifestyle and standard as compared to the
caste discriminated people. And I
think, this we should copy instead of what we have been copying. This would really help Indian Industries to
harness the immense potential readily available in one’s own country.
The state of our Industry is quite different than what it
has been systematically projected.
Innovation is not part of our Industrial culture apparently, it merely
acting as copy cat of the Industrial products designed and developed by
American, European Japanese suited to their conditions and we ends up paying
huge royalty. We don’t solve the problem of our people. It is entirely in the
hands of the genius to lead the country on the path of self-sufficiency, but
unfortunately these people over the years merely mastered the techniques of
copying. Let me count some of the roughly estimated hard facts concerning our
Industrial sectors, say, if America stop its business establishments our
companies growths will reduced by 50%, 25% if European companies and so on and
so forth. If not authentically, but approximately 70 to 80 % Industrial
products come from the designed and development stable of America, European,
Japan, etc and we put here the tag of local Indian company for sell.
Over the year our Industries merely acting as the
marketing label for the foreign products. Why Indian industry (where there is
no reservation) has performed so dismally all these years. It has failed to
produce international quality goods at affordable prizes. They cannot stand at
competition against any of the MNCs.
Are reservations to blame for this? Our industrialists always have
enough reasons to complain. Either government policies are not conducive. There
is hell lot of red-tapism and political intervention, the Chinese are dumping
products, union problems, or the stockmarkets don't recognise value. Though
these gripes may have a small element of truth in them, they often choose to
conveniently forget that many problems are of their own making. Several
companies have been extremely successful in destroying value, purely through
poor management or dubious strategies—Are reservation to blame for this?
In America and Europe the success achieved by the racially
discriminated people in the various fields likes: movies, sports, Industry,
Academics, Administration, Military, etc wouldn’t have really been possible had
it not been for the properly laid down policies and remarkable executions of those
policies. One of the important factors that has ushered a new epoch in the
lives of those people and that is the change in mentality of their countrymen,
Industries and politicians collectively. They invested their faith and will for
the over development of their country, on whom; they had inflicted inhuman
socio-economic norms (very opposite what we find in India). By doing this they
have achieved dual purpose: One, the development of the racially discriminated
people and second, have harnessed their potential for the development of
country.
It is projected, now, that all the racially discriminated
people have been making huge success on their merit. But before that they all
have been allowed to blossom, they have given right training and
conducive environment to blossom, they all have been given chance to show their
talent and the marvelous results followed were only the matter of time.
Completely opposite to what we see in India, in India the perception is that if
you belong to backward community you do not deserve anything. And the worst,
the backward community is touted as the hurdle in ushering the era of
competitiveness. The reservation policy is only to show the rest world that we
have been properly taking care of the underprivileged section of India. But
India is absolutely clueless about what result have been achieved by the huge
money allocated and the policies that are being set for the development of the
weaker sections over the last 50 years.
Now like, if any insurgent or terrorist act of any nature,
strikes on Indian Land, our officers of any cadre or politician has in offer a
patented answer,” There are foreign hands behind this act, and wanted to
destabilize our social fabric and economy.” On the same line, in days to come,
if reservation enacted, our Indian industrial giants irrespective of what their
contribution in the over all development of world class product, would answer,
if their company doesn’t perform well, ” Reservation is to blame for
this”
The government of India adopted the policy in which it has
made safe passage for the Indian Industries for not exposing it to direct
competition against foreign companies. They all have been enjoying huge
concessions, quotas and rebates. Is it not that Indian Industries too are
enjoying a sort of reservation? Then why these Industrialist are making a hue
and cry over the issue of introduction of reservation for the weaker section of
India. If they talk of survival on the basis of Merit then let the Indian
market be open for the foreign companies and let them ask to show the strength
of meritorious employees.
Who is to blame for the dismal performance of PSUs or
their closure? Why to forget that
meritorious candidates are heading most of the PSUs, since the day of its
inceptions. Why is it so that the PSUs only enjoying a sort of monopoly are
doing somewhat well? And it is subject of national debate that in whose
interest a few PSUs units (even profit making) forced to either closed down or
sold to private parties at paltry sum.
When a person born in a so-called menial caste, as per the
Hindu caste system is condemned to carry the cross, then why this bogey of
merit rose constantly by the educated elite, let's not forget that a
caste-ridden society like ours hardly provides a level playing field for large
section of the Indian society. A person's station in life is largely determined
by birth. In such a system, there is little space for merit and efficiency. The
recruitment practices in the private organizations are much a subject of debate
and research. The upper castes have
been enjoying unstated reservation since many years. And extending the benefits
of reservation to underprivileged people of this country at any cost can only
neutralize this.
Lets
see what is the scenario in the other sectors of social activities where we
have highly skilled people and no reservations at all.
Lets
blame reservation for the following things?
Bollywood, the Hindi-feature film production unit of
India, the hub of creativity and propaganda, that produces maximum number of
movies in a year all over the world, too is very mediocre and only producing a
very stereotypical and monotonous kind of movies. Alike our production Industries they too are master copiers.
Every 9 movies out of 10 are based on only one theme: boy meets girl. Most
of the movie themes are adopted versions of Hollywood movies; almost
one or two songs in 9 movies out of 10 are copied in the name of
inspiration from foreign music directors. One hit movie in Hollywood then in
Bollywood almost all top directors get inspired and produces almost 10 movies
on the same theme. Ironically, our film stars, directors and rest members make
a huge hue and cry over the CD piracy albeit what they do. Even the name
‘Bollywood’ was inspired from the famous film industry situated far-East
‘Hollywood’. In literary circle the picture is too gloomy. We have stock
exchange for only 2% of total India’s population.
We have co-operative sugar mills and other government-run
corporations only to run in losses. Those institutions are merely used like
green pastureland for the political leaders and their confederate to graze on
the peoples’ money. We have reservation for the backward community person to
become “Pradhan Or Mukhiya ” of Panchayat only do work under the dictums of the
dominating upper caste group. No one
has any clue why these institutions have never been utilized as a mean to
provide a ready platform to help reduce the problem of socio-economic backward
community? We have government administrators, planning commission body (Yojna
Bhavan), industrial policy, grossly prerogative of higher echelon of privileged
India to chalk out remedial and development plans but what has been achieved
till date, can we blame reservation for it? Isn’t that it has some iota of
truth that they only have perfected the art of showing its perfect execution
not in reality, but only on papers (that have been lying in the dirty
conditions). We have sports Organizations and sportsmen, where entry is
predominantly on the merit basis; the result and performance of these bodies
are dismal. In a country of billion people what we get a silver medal that too
once in a blue Olympic. There is no industry in India who has shown its
willingness to come forward to help sports person; it is apparently not the
culture of out Industry.
Why have been we overlooking the Public Education
System when it has tremendous potential of brining about educational
reforms if implemented properly? The
rate at which we have been doing privatization of our education system is
matter of grave concern. Most of the
private education institutes select candidates on the basis of who makes the
best offer. Is it not a sort of reservation for a very few privileged. Then we
have quota for soldiers, quota for NRIs, there too is no criteria of merit and,
not to talk of the kind of favoritism and irregularities are in to practice at
the time of admission. And the most frustrating thing is that he facilities in
most of the private institute are not worth the fees they charge. How we get
rationing card, important certificates. Our Legal system is not for to give
justice but only to scribbled down “ Next Tarik”. Public health care system is
in its worst state; we have even failed to find the break through for most of
the diseases still haunting rural and semi urban areas. Most of the medicines
we take are from foreign companies. The chemicals that are banned in other
developed countries we sell that stuff here.
There have been deaths because of malnutrition. At ghastly speed the
number of child labors and child beggars are on increase. The humanity and
compassion in us is on constant decline that is mainly because we don’t think
they are the by product of our social system-- we throw contemptuous cold look
at those snooty, scraggy, half bared, diseased human body as a part of erratic
traffic system. Lets blame this too on reservations.
The fear of Mr. Bajaj is uncalled for (i.e., Devoid of
Merit: Reservations Will Kill Indian Private Sector) nothing will kill it; when
it was lively considering what we do at out manufacturing plants or for that
matter any other field. Who is he trying to fool? Moreover considering the GoM
setup by the Congress, the oldest political party, have served the nation for
the record 4 decades and now leading UPA government. If to consider the past
records of the congress and the credentials of one of the key members of GoM, Meria
Kumar, Union Minster for social justice and empowerment, who may have designs
on to break the record of her father, Jagjivanram of holding union ministerial
berth for the record 26 years, the task of introduction of reservation in
private sector seems quite a difficult but certainly not impossible. And things
would definitely have been unpromising had the Congress government been
enjoying majority but considering the compulsion of a coalition government,
lets hope that things will take shape at the earliest.
Recently in an interview to one of the English dailies of
Indian Meria Kumar one of the key member of newly appointed Group of
Misters to examine the sensitive issue of reservation for SCs/STs in private
sector has appeal to the Industry that,” I am all for allaying their fears;
I have an open mind on the issue and ready to walk half-way, but they should
also shed their misconceptions!” Well no one doubts that if the government
and private sectors join hands together they can definitely sort this major
contention out.
Recently Prime Minster Manmohan Singh announced in a
public rally as a part of campaigning for Maharashatra assembly election, “
His government will develop and beautify the finical capital, Mumbai like
Shanghai.” If to test the possibility of such thing a doubt immediately
pops up that how could he possibly make it, if one consider the real facts:
One, the place is crammed with people beyond the capacity and bristle with big
slums, secondly, the major problem is 95 percent people (mostly poor and old
tenants) live in on 2/3rd of land and rest on 1/3rd. Do
we consider this as only election promise and stunt to allure voters? He may
have made this statement out of political compulsion but I think a good
economist like Manmohan Singh would not have made such a brave statement unless
it had some potential to become reality. And every one in India believe that
every election-promise that our political leader make, if we genuinely lift a
step in that direction, and if we raise above the occasion and personal
selfishness, we can do that. The same is case with all of our social problems
no matter how they look impossible and threatening our social fabrics and if we
to solve this problem what we need is to lift a step in that direction with a
renewed mind set. If we want, we can collectively change Indian for all and at
once. To think about such incidents, we must abandon traditions,
orthodoxies, social convention and prejudices. The trick is to decide among
alternative and then throw everything to bring about the social change.
Lets do it for all of us and at once. And this is not
against anybody. This is for everybody. It’s a national shame when we exploded
atom bomb and western countries instead of accepting our accomplishment and big
stride in the area of scientific research considering our handicaps, they
chided us ironically, “ Why a country like Indian where 600 million people
struggle to get two times proper meal need atom bomb?” This statement they
may have made out of compulsion of International diplomacy but then we should
not shy off from reality. We are a nuke country, it is not
absolutely wrong to posses nuke power but we forget that we have more than half
of our population in dire poverty. No political or military strategist would
tell us that when someone’s nuke bomb will strike on Indian land. The zeal with which we developed the nuke
bomb lets show the same zeal for uprooting all social evils. The task of
uprooting social evils required the chain reaction of collective actions and
social mobility that should be detonated by the spark of changed mind-set.
India has been successful in providing deterrence power of nuke bomb but what’s
guaranty that no other country will use it against us. So Bomb is there but no
guaranty that it can save us from possible strike. Are we not potent enough to
buy those millions of poverty stricken Indians a death that they will embrace
with their stomach full with food, roof over head and cloths to covered their
bodies? Or Are we assuming that
anyway, they are going to die of poverty so why we should work for all this?
The best thing man ever gets is Death, its delicacy, it’s the ultimate truth
and man gets it only once in a life and that’s end of the journey of human
sufferance. Lets plead that we ‘ll make it more attractive and not ugly the way
innumerable people in India are greeting. Lets collectively try to bring a bit
of change in the lives of underprivileged India.
In recent times,
the world has been hailing the Indian software professional and Industries for
the great acumen in IT. But considering our share in the total worlds’ software
export is that is only 1%. 95% of our IT revenue comes from American and
European market. And if you ask to any competitive analyst of International
repute about what we do in our IT firms you would come to know that the picture
there if not too bad then certainly not prospective. We don’t solve the problem of our people but the problem of
developed countries. Recent breathtaking and path-breaking innovations in the
field of telecommunication research and methodologies e.g. WLL, CDMS, WiMAX,
Wi-Fi all these technology comes in India from American, Japanese or European
countries. What we have to do here is
to deploy the technology by giving training to the local people. If this is
what the operating format of the Indian companies then they can easily trained
the people of backward community, unlike their other employee and can
contribute their share.
It is not that what we have been doing is wrong or bad but
we should realize that we have a vast potential of transforming our country on
the map of development and instilling the scientific temper than
superstitious.
We Indian, though very diverse in our thought process,
varied social, economical background and have differing opinions on major issue
but still been living together amicably is, I suppose, the 8th
wonder of the world. Lets learn the power of disagreement of, dialogue and the
essence of living in diversity in thinking. It is not about the ability to
create a definitive dogmatic end-state; it is about the unfolding of thoughts
process, of dialogue and continuum. Ultimately, we ‘ll succeed is our vision it
is only the question of rising above the social dictums and enjoying the pains
of renouncing ones’ selfish purposes. It is about imagination and to show
sensitivity toward small people. Lets get
connected to large world existence and create extra ordinary success with
ordinary lives.
Many prominent personalities have in
recent time suggested criteria of economy for the reservation as an alternative
to the caste based reservation. I think this suggestion is against the spirit
and the very basic idea of reservation. It is quite well known fact that the
policy of reservation been introduced and most importantly given the protection
of constitution of India, because of the evil social practices and for giving
up the demand of separate state for socio- economic backward community. When
the future of these people handed over to the privileged Indians then it is
their responsibility to finish this task. And if we have to consider the
possibility of reservation on the basis of economic criteria then what is the
guarantee of its proper implementation considering what we have achieved under
the scheme of reservation on caste basis. Then there is chance of its misuse as
happened in case of caste base reservation (i.e., of acquiring fake caste
certificates). This problem of issuing fake certificates can be easily traced
but what if affluent people find the place in the list of economically backward
community considering this is common occurrence at the time of listing BPL
(Below Poverty Line) scheme. Moreover, the social system is so rigid that even
if backward community people when converted to any other community (i.e.,
Christianity or Muslim) to escape from stigma of one’s caste, ironically, these
tow faith, though do not believe on caste system but here in India they end up
becoming Lower caste christen or lower caste Muslim as against the converted
upper caste christen or upper caste Muslim. That’s it they even do not have
freedom of changing faith even. If they change it still they carry the tag of
lower- caste or the group like RSS or Hindu hard-line organization immediately
set up re-conversion camps. Even the Hindu hardliners are not living converted
people in peace in their grave. Recently, The coffin of a Christian, Baga
Tulasiga, buried in a "Hindu cremation ground," had to be dug up
after some locals lodged an FIR with the Gurandi police in Orissa's Gajapati
district. The coffin was brought back to Tulasiga's home for "re-conversion"
to Hinduism. His body was then cremated in the same ground as per Hindu
rites. And why is it necessary to make
such a hue and cry over the issue of conversion and re-conversion when for
through out their lives they are only to carry cross of lower-caste. And I think because of this reality this
problem cannot solve by giving reservation on the basis of economical
conditions.
Considering the today’s social condition and plight of the
more than half of the Indian population which is still struggling for the basic
things: Roti, Kapda and Makan. I am afraid that what once British government
said is turning out to be true, “ Because of geographic, racial, historical,
social and cultural factors the Indian people had become permanently unfit for
self government.” They even declared that because of our inherent social
and cultural evils and defects Indian were destined to be ruled perpetually by
foreign. I really don’t understand
that if freedom from England meant to get what we had been denied by West India
company during its’ dictatorial and oppressive rule for each of her son,
then we are failed in materializing it after obtaining freedom. When we got
independence that we called “Swaraj”
failed to bring about the social economic changes. It is same what it was at
the time of British rule—that some section (only difference, during British
rule this section comprised of British people and a few Indian who toed the
line of British and after independence this place is taken by a some section of
India.) is enjoying everything where as major section (which is largely
disorganize) getting nothing. It is really shameful thing that in ‘Swaraj’ to
realize that the act of office secret devised by the British only to rule over
the large population of the India, to us it took almost 50 years to abolish it
and introduced right to information act. If consider properly is it not that we
are acting like English people? Are we going to blame reservation for
this?
Our television should learn some lessons form the kind of
serials those are mainly based on the social subject that have been plying
instrumental role in developing amicable relationships amongst the people of
different racial orientation—mainly between black and whites-- and interweaving
them in to one single thread of unity and fraternity. It is very frustrating to
see that what kind of things we have been copying from the western countries.
We have not become mature enough in the art of copying and adaptations. It is
absolutely not wrong in what we are copying, but frankly speaking we are
overdoing it. The television Industry hasn’t yet come out of its copying phase
and still struggling to come out of the age-old home theorem of Sas-Bhahu
fighting depicted in many colorful and melodramatic forms or the shows of extra
martial affairs of Big Industrial families or people who are into entertainment
business in the vulgar, Pompous, exaggerated to the extent of stupidity whose
format is completely alien to Indian society,
We are quite familiar with the
character of “Bhai”, call him a small punter in the Mafia or money-extraction
Gangs of Mumbai or the Big boss himself, who operates a gang. The vivid
descriptions and enactment of this character (i.e., Bhai) in the TV serials or
Movies, has achieved new heights of popularity. Why TV serials and movies are being made on the modus operandi of
the notorious Bhai, its characterization being modified, depicted, captured,
portrayed, redefined, exaggerated versions of their personality trait? For me,
the Bhai would not have become the household name had it not been for the his
unknown relationship with the film Industry, a sort of charm the character
wielded around it, and our attraction towards the dark/unknown sides of
human-face. Sometime we hate the character and sometimes we love it, that is
mainly because of in what human-shades the character has been portrayed. It is
the power of television medium that can portray the different shades that a
charter like Bhai possesses. The character of Bhai though not a matter or ideal
person to emulate but they way its been presented on the television accordingly
we formulate our opinion. On the same line can’t we present the problems of the
caste discrimination?
I remember, three to four years
back there was one Hindi-dubbed American serial “Different stroke” was telecasted on ‘Sony
Entertainment Television Channel’. The
serial had handled the subject of racial discrimination and how to develop
friendly and family relationships between these two groups without compromising
on its commercial format. In short the story was based on a White-man, his
daughter (age around 15) and two small black-boys (age group of 11 and 15)
adopted by him. It was really unbelievably, amazingly and wonderfully portrayed
the story of how that white girl get along with those black boys and how
slowly, slowly they build a strong relationship after initial hiccups, fight
and social inhibitions. The central charter, a black boy, Arnold (around 10
years) portrayed for commercial value was one of the classical examples that
our TV producers and writer should emulate. The serial was classical example of
how one can exploit the super power of TV and disseminate social message of
importance through a commercially viable serial. But the gripe of our TV
producers that serials based on social subjects won’t fetch them money. But I
beg for differ, and the reason is that we lack in originality. Why everything happens in America and not
here despite the fact ours was the first nation to attain the statues of
civilized society when Europe or American people roaming in woods for food. Why
because they understand how to solve their own problems, how to ridicule and
laugh on ones social problems. Why don’t we make serials, which are
commercially viable -- May it be in comical format or messaging format? Is reservation is to be blamed for this?
And lets not forget that in TV and Movie Production there is reservation? Apparently we don’t want to solve our
problems. We have got mastery on how to waste our creative energy in perpetuating
all our social problems and blaming each other that not us but you are
responsible for it. We have really been wasting our energy in crating problems
and unfortunately not using it for the collective development.
If we don’t build consensus and owe to solve this problem
voluntarily, as was appealed by the Prime Minster Manmohan Singh before the
government would enforce it. It may create more social explosive situation in
days to come. This problem carries a
potential threat in its womb let’s abort it right there before it would assume
evil shape.
Mr. Rahul Bajaj did not forget to mention in
his article a fact and reforming step intiated by his grandfather that in 1928,
Jamnalanji Bajaj opended the first temple in India to Harijans- Laxminarayan
Temple in Wardha. It has since its inception been managed by a charitable trust
run by the Bajaj family. This reminds me the famous Verse by Coleridge's
Ancient Mariner " As idle as a painted ship, on painted ocean." Truly the line says everything. As every one
knows that temple sort of thing hasn’t been able to achieve anything. “When
O, Lord shall our land be free from this eternal dwelling upon past? Religion is not for empty bellies and it
must contribute to human welfare.” Swami Vivekananda though a religious leader
frustratingly register his ire on the Hindu society. Why should a
businessman like Mr. Rahul Bajaj take the refuge of such things when he gave
the statistical figures of backward community people working in his factory?
There have been good and bad effects of despoliation of
our land by a succession of savage conquerors followed by a couple of centuries
of economical exploitation and racial humiliation. This country, if we turn the
pages of history, was divided into many states. We have got it, the country so
diver in its make-up as one unit from England and we really paid a much high
price for what we got in return. Now, it is our duty to see that every one of
us should get his/her share to help to get back its lost glory.
If we are not able to reach on any amicable solution to
the present entangling problem whether to introduces reservation in private
sectors or not --then I think we should get back to the two biggies of the
masses, who have initiated this reforming measure and envisaged a new India for
all: Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the two most misused
names in the socio-political-economic context.
If we study and understand their personality trait, then I think, the
solution of this problem lies there. Gandhiji, epitome of simplicity,
decolonised Indian sub continent, tried to throw out social evils, urged to
abandon the caste system and accepted the responsibility of social evils. Second, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, great social
reformer, charming personality and classical example of emulation considering
what he achieved against all odd with a little help from a few members of the
society.
So the bottom line is if the Indian upper class just follow the 10% of the Gandhian personality trait and accept the rights of chronic poverty stricken people because of social evils and the people have been enjoying the benefits of reservation, if follow the personality trait of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (i.e., making most of what ever small help one gets, not shaking off one’s responsibility and charm of intelligence), I think then we are not far off from permanently finishing this problem.
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