Quota policy needs changes

  THE article, “Reservation policy: need for transformation”, by Mr Sher Singh (The Tribune, Dec 12) was expressing the feeling of that section of society (unreserved category) which has been exploited because of the wrong implementation of the reservation policy. It is the need of the hour to make some amendments in this policy as only a small section of the reserved class has been benefited so far whereas the remaining large section is not even aware of the benefits available under this policy.

After about 50 years of implementation of this policy the result is that the main purpose (upliftment of this section of society) has not been served so far, and the only reason is its wrong implementation.

In addition to the three factors given by the writer I would like to suggest a few more to end this reservation policy after 10 or 15 years. Firstly, the benefit of reservation should be given to a person only once in his lifetime (either during admission or while getting a job or during promotion). It will be the first step to end some frustration among today’s youth.

Secondly, the government should start some awareness programme among the larger section of the reserved class so that they may come to know how they can be benefited by this policy, and thus the purpose of Article 15(4) and 16(4) is served. Thirdly, the government should provide the facilities to these people so that they can get better education and compete with others without taking the benefit of reservation. The criterion for reservation should not be caste but the economic condition.

SANJAY GUPTA
Saraswatinagar (Shimla)

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Against national interest

Prof V.N. Datta’s paper on Partition presented at the Indian History Congress goes against the national interest (The Tribune, December 30 “Mountbatten favoured Sikhs”). Favouring Sikhs means favouring India, which means that Pakistan was wronged at the time of Partition. At the time when all the major powers — the USA, the UK and China — are supporting Pakistan on the Kashmir issues, such reports will stiffen their partisan attitude. Professor Datta may get national and international acclaim, but it is definitely against India’s interests. It should be kept in mind that if the entire Gurdaspur district had gone to Pakistan, we would have no land route to Kashmir, and Kashmir could not be saved from Pakistan’s attack.

S.S. MONGIA
Chief Engineer (retd.)
Mohali

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Heinous attack

As former students of the Guru Ram Das Academy in Dehra Dun, we would like to express our condemnation of the heinous attack on this school that occurred on December 2. The school was attacked by enraged protestors, who targeted it in an attempt to further their political agenda. Places of learning should never be an arena for violent promotion of political interests.

SAT KARTAR KAUR KHALSA & many others
Oregon (USA)

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Akali tussle

If the current events relating to Akali politics in Punjab are any indication, they point to the beginning of the end of Akali raj.

To many of us who remember a bit of recent history of Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal is replaying the events of 1960-70s. It confirms my belief that the Akalis can achieve the strongest “Panthic unity” only while being an opposition party in Punjab. If “Panthic unity”, rather than a clean, peaceful and progressive administration, is the main agenda of the SAD, the voters in the next elections will grant this wish of it too!

One hopes the current Akali tussle does not lead to another spurt of militancy in Punjab. A peace-loving Punjabi can only wish that history does not repeat the violent events of 1980-1995. Much would depend on the role of the Congress in the coming years. Will they refrain from repeating the policies of Giani Zail Singh and Indira Gandhi?

PARAMJIT SINGH GILL
Kelowna (British Columbia, Canada)

(Received in response to the Internet edition.)