reservations on reservations

Posted on 9/23/2005 Post Comment -

In India, the Government seems to be under the impression that for solving any problem, all it needs is a bit of reservation, that is setting aside a certain number of seats, vacancies for those sections who had got a bad deal through the centuries. Thus, after independence, it decided to uplift the downtrodden dalit castes and offered them reservation in educational institutions and jobs. This was supposed to continue only for a certain number of  years, but when the politicial parties found that continuing with the concessions would earn them votes, it sort of  became a permanent feature. Now they even want to extend it to the private sector. 

   I have no quarrel with anyone trying to bring these disadvantaged sections at par with the more fortunate ones but why should it be on the basis of caste, community or religion? Why can't it be on economic grounds?

   The latest hairbrained idea is to offer free education to "only" girl child. If she has any brother or even another sister, the offer remains invalid. As a father of two sons, I protest as bringing up children, whether male or female involves expenses. This is apparently aimed at making the girl child acceptable as several communities have been in the habit of  commiting female infanticide. Now the reverse may take place and menfolk may soon become endangered.