'...by the fact that it prompted you to write ... But I do not believe that virtue is distributed by caste or class, which your letter implicitly suggests ... Perhaps I trust society too much, but perhaps you trust the state too much, and good histo
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Full text of Pratap Bhanu Mehta's response:
Dear Yogendra Bhai,
Myletter is redeemed by the fact that it prompted you to write. Minorpoints first: The NKC statement carefully did not take a categorical standagainst all reservations; it merely was a plea that quotas not be extended tillalternatives had been explored. If we had not taken an interim position we wouldhave been accused of ducking the issue. As for politics, if misrepresenting theConstitution, deciding seat enhancement solely for the sake of quotas and not onother rational considerations, and leaving decisions to politicians, is notpolitics of the bad kind I do not know what is. Mr. Arjun Singh himself linkedthe decision to the prospects of the Congress party.
I want to clarify two important things. My argument on diversity and freedomleaves substantial room for the state to enact radical policies; like you Ibelieve it will have to do so, but more intelligently. But should policies inall institutions necessarily have to follow the same model? And in a countrywhere even people who agree on the objective of social justice are deeplydivided over the means to achieve it, is not draconian homogenising going toexacerbate social conflict? I think genuine pluralism requires that we find amodus vivendi to balance different and equally important values: social justice,diversity, autonomy, freedom, creativity, efficiency. Perhaps I trust societytoo much, but perhaps you trust the state too much, and good historical senserequires being wary of both in appropriate measure.
Second, I did not intend to be an icon for any movement; how people useimages and ideas is beyond my control. I just hope my arguments are taken forwhat they are. But we have to move beyond demonizing any caste or class, upperor lower. Some of the symbolism used by the protestors display a lack ofsensitivity to India’s social realities and, as my letter suggests, I do notbuy the binary of social justice versus merit that their arguments are based on.Yes, these kids are comparatively privileged; but in a competitive world, withshort supply of institutions, they also face an anxious future. Their anxiety issometimes misdirected and misarticulated, but that is an intellectual and moralvacuum this society as whole faces. I have written about the indignities ofcaste elsewhere. But I do not believe that virtue is distributed by caste orclass, which your letter implicitly suggests. Perhaps I worry too little aboutthe absence of social justice issues in some discourses (though hopefully notabout social justice itself). But I think you worry too little about how a merereference to social justice can itself disable all critique, and excuse allkinds of ineffective and non-sensical policies. And I hope India has space forboth of us.
With great admiration,
Pratap Bhanu Mehta
The above response was first published by the Indian Express todayand is carried here for the record, with permission from the author.