Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Exclude it

This refers to the Supreme Court's observation that excess reservation will cause reverse discrimination (Oct. 24). There is no doubt that equality of opportunity under Articles 16 (1) and 16 (4) of the Constitution should be balanced. The creamy layer should indeed be excluded from the purview of reservation so that the really deserving among the backward get more opportunities.

Rocky Ukken,
Thiruvananthapuram

The article "Reservation and the creamy layer" (Oct. 24) obfuscates the real issues. The avowed purpose of reservation is to remove the social disabilities arising out of caste by raising the level of education and employment of the affected. Even after reaching the level of Class I officer, if a person feels that his disability continues it follows that social discrimination arising out of the caste system cannot be removed by reservation. Remedy should be sought elsewhere. The hue and cry, obviously, is not for the benefit of the deprived. It is nothing but a smokescreen created by the creamy layer to cling on to the accrued benefits endlessly.

Manohar Alembath,
Chennai

It is strange that a person continues to remain backward after becoming a doctor, engineer, lawyer, bank manager or university vice-chancellor. If the `backward' label continues to be tagged to him, what is the purpose of reservation?

N. Mohan,
Chennai

That there is no creamy layer among the SCs and the STs is far from true. If reservation has not led to the creation of a creamy layer, what purpose has it served over almost 60 years? What is the guarantee that it will deliver the goods in future?

Seshagiri Row Karry,
Hyderabad

Once the beneficiaries of reservation come up in life, there is no logic in their continuing to enjoy it. For them, reservation is superfluous and unnecessary.

J. Eden Alexander,
Thanjavur

There are signs that the Government may opt for legislation to negate the court ruling. This is a wrong approach. The ruling brings the reservation policy more in line with the ground reality. It would be a pity if vote bank politics were allowed to derail it.

A. Meghana,
Hyderabad

The verdict echoes the views expressed in the report of the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission 1970. It deals elaborately with the `Upper layer in each Backward Caste' (Chapter VI, paragraphs 205 to 207) and concludes by saying: "If this upper crust in each caste is not removed from competing with the less privileged, the object of social justice, especially distributive justice, will not be achieved." I hope at least now, the creamy layer will be skimmed off.

Ramani Natarajan,
Chennai

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