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Fix a cut off date to end reservations

V ESHWAR ANAND, in his article, “Creamless quota: SC ruling throws up many questions” (April 14) gives a full picture of the OBC quota in the IIMs and the IITs. Reservation is done to uplift the weaker sections of society, but our political setup is bent upon favouring backward classes for getting votes.

The judiciary has delivered a bold judgement by excluding the creamy layer from the quota ambit. Admittedly, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had cautioned the Union Cabinet not to include the creamy layer in the Act, but the UPA allies like the PMK, the DMK and the RJD did not heed his advice and complicated the matter. Enough is enough.

While the needy deserve all help like scholarships, books and hostel facilities, the Centre should fix a cutoff date to end reservations permanently.

O.P. GARG, Patiala

II

I agree that the implementation of the 27 per cent quota for the OBCs in professional institutions will not be a smooth affair and the judgement has raised as many questions as it has tried to answer. The ruling may be a victory for the Centre, yet the quota has not served the intended purpose for which it was started almost 60 years ago.

The judgement notwithstanding, if the political parties want to continue the quota system, economic backwardness (with due income limit) and not caste should be the basis for reservation. All other reservations, including those for the SCs and STs, physically handicapped, sports, freedom fighters etc should be abolished. Of course, the government can help the needy with free books, scholarships, subsidised tuition and hostel fee, but no reservations, please.

S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh

III

Reservation for the OBCs in IITs, IIMs and Central universities is most unfortunate and against national interest. It is pure vote bank politics. In fact, there should be no quotas in all government and semi-government institutions. Education is in a mess in Bihar because of quotas. Should the whole nation invite this kind of situation? Our politicians have no common sense and logic and they cannot look beyond their vote banks.

MAHESH KUMAR, New Delhi

IV

The general category students are disappointed because the apex court verdict on the OBCs has sealed their fate (Editorial, “Quota to stay”, April 11). It is a fait accompli for these students. It is like what cannot be cured must be endured. Earlier they had to suffer due to quota in government jobs which is now extended to the OBCs in higher education.

The judgement does talk about periodic review of the quota but if the government’s past record is any indication, any such review will be just a formality and the OBC quota will continue in perpetuity. Though the elite backward class lobby is unhappy, the Supreme Court deserves kudos for insisting on excluding the creamy layer. This will help the most backward, but they must have access to quality primary and secondary education.

RAMA KASHYAP, Chandigarh

V

Though exclusion of creamy layer from the ambit of OBC reservation in higher education is a matter of concern, apparently, the government’s motto is to uplift the socially and educationally backward classes. Article 14 of the Constitution envisages that providing reservation is just, fair and not unequal treatment.

The problem is that even after 60 years of Independence, the backward classes are unable to occupy top positions in the country. Either the education system is weak or it has failed to nurture talent.

S.M. FASIULLAH, Motilal Nehru College, New Delhi

VI

Excluding the creamy layer from the quota is welcome because it will help the really deserving among the OBCs. But the OBCs argue that reservations must continue irrespective of their economic betterment and progress. They say, they continue to remain socially disadvantaged even after enjoying the benefit of quota since 1951! Has reservation become a drug or an addiction for them?

J.S. ACHARYA, Hyderabad

VII

The Supreme Court judgement on OBC quota is most unfortunate. This will now help the OBCs to get admissions in the best of institutions with a lesser cut off percentage in the entrance examination.

The general category will now be vying only for 50 per cent of seats as the SCs and STs and the OBCs take away 49.5 per cent seats. People, especially the politicians, need to understand the consequences of having quotas in medical and engineering courses where only merit should prevail. I am thankful that the armed forces do not carry any reservation quota.

ANIKET SINGH, Army Institute of Law, Mohali