Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On reservation

Reservation was introduced to uplift the oppressed classes. It cannot continue indefinitely. The objective has to be achieved within a reasonable timeframe. This can happen only if the benefits of reservation are passed on to the lower strata of the oppressed classes. If the elite among the backward continue to corner them, the needy will continue to remain backward even if the reservation policy is extended for another 100 years. The Supreme Court verdict excluding the creamy layer among the SCs and the STs from the ambit of reservation is a step in the right direction.

Prasanth T. Nambiar,
Bangalore

One can understand the hue and cry raised over the exclusion of the creamy layer by those who have reaped the benefits of reservation generation after generation, denying them to the majority among the SCs and the STs. That they should see sustenance of backwardness as an instrument of progress is unfortunate.

Pramod Singodia,
New Delhi

A `creamy layer' presupposes the existence of the cream that, I am afraid, has not even started to form among the most oppressed classes yet. The reasons for the slow socio-economic uplift of these castes are many and varied. But one of the most important reasons is the less than honest, half-hearted and inefficient implementation of the reservation policy, the proof of which can be found in the cumulative backlog of unfilled vacancies. Another reason is the refusal of the forward caste groups to willingly concede enough social space to the SCs and the STs. The need of the hour is a thorough analysis of the reasons for the poor implementation of reservation, not exclusion of the so-called creamy layer.

Shahabuddin Nadeem,
Bangalore

It is not economic status that determines the social standing of a person. It is the caste system that has raised a social barrier among the people. Even among the educated elite, comments such as "this officer made it under the quota regime" and "this doctor belongs to the Scheduled Caste" are not uncommon.

If the so-called upper caste people want reservation to benefit the downtrodden Dalits and tribals, they should first resolve that they will not indulge in neo-casteism that is deep-rooted in the modern Indian society. Let them eradicate untouchability that is still practised in all the States except the Northeast. To this day, Dalits have not been allowed to participate freely even in temple festivals. When the educated masses do not raise their voice against such uncivilised acts, what right do they have to demand the discontinuation of the much-needed reservation for the creamy layer?

J. Joe Anand Kumar,
Puducherry

The criteria laid down by the court for identifying the creamy layer may need a re-look. A person recruited as a clerk and promoted as a Class II officer at the fag end of his career, one who serves his community as a doctor in a backward area for a small monetary gain or a Dalit leader who gets elected to Parliament or the State Assembly after long years of service to his community at the grass roots cannot be categorised under the creamy layer. It would be unfair to exclude their children from the benefit of reservation.

S. Gurumurthy,
Chennai

The creamy layer concept that was hitherto discussed only with reference to the OBCs has now been introduced with respect to the SCs and the STs too. The court has taken a commendable step towards achieving natural justice. It should similarly introduce an economic criterion in the general category too. A quota of about 10 per cent should be earmarked for the non-creamy layer of the general category in educational institutions and government jobs. How can the son of a small farmer belonging to the forward caste compete with the son of a bureaucrat belonging to the same caste? The government should take the cue from the latest verdict to make reservation meaningful and justifiable to everyone.

Kattari Anand Naidu,
Chennai

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