Far from rethinking, Other Backward Castes (OBCs) demanded similar reservation. They got it. Now the dispute rages over quotas, about whether the creamy layers deserve reservation, whether religious minorities deserve reservation. Each political group advances arguments to favour its own votebank. No group addresses the larger problem. Result: India’s political class has become a group of squabbling tribes. Rarely does one encounter a politician who thinks and acts like an Indian. Consider how the politicians argue.
The BJP supports caste-based reservation as only Hindus have recognised castes. Dalits converted to other religions, even though they may work as scavengers, must be denied reservation because, as non-Hindus, they have no caste! The Congress brazenly attempts to promise everything to everyone. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court comes in its way. So, the Congress asks the Attorney-General to somehow circumvent the current law. The Communists pay lip-service to Marxist class struggle. But in practice they woo votes on the basis of caste-based reservation. A contorted adjustment between Marx and Mandal is being strenuously attempted by Comrades Karat and Bardhan.
The most spectacular contortions are displayed by OBC leaders of the notional Third Front. Sharad Yadav, the OBC ideologue on reservation, wants no reservation for the minorities. However, he wants reservation for the converted Dalits. In the circumstances that sounds reasonable. But he wants all OBCs and Dalits, including their creamy layers, to get reservation. Why? He uses the class card to deny the Muslim reservation. He uses the caste card to give the backwards reservation. He says: "Reservation is not an anti-poverty measure. It is to offset the discrimination institutionalised in the caste system."
There seems a simple remedy to end discrimination: introduce reservation among all selection boards that interview candidates. Give major representation in these boards to Dalits, OBCs and minorities. But stop spreading the divisive poison of caste-based reservation among the Indian people. It could destroy India.
(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)
