O J's Corner: Reflections

Clear up quota mess

Let there be no grandstanding by anyone on the OBC reservation issue. Instead, let all interested parties put their heads together to wriggle out of the mess made by themselves.

Only thing is the intention should be free from taking advantage of any sections of the society.  The crucial point is confidence building, for which the President as well as the Prime Minister had taken the initiative. Let it move further.

To me, it looks like the Supreme Court would be able to do justice to various sections of the society, provided all parties approach it with their side of the issue.

One cannot say that it would be time consuming, for the present proposal of the government is to give 27 per cent reservation  to Other Backward Classes in prestigious institutions like AIIMS, IITs, IIMs and Central universities from 2007 admissions.

At the same time, merit candidates would not be deprived of their opportunities. Increase in number of seats in proportion to the merit seats being cornered by the OBCs is thought of. Would this have permanence?

By the time, the apex court would be able to sort out the issue which has already crippled the functioning of the centres of excellence in medical, engineering, management and other disciplines.

In reality, many States have managed to come out with practical solutions generally agreeable with regional realities.

In Kerala, the Narendran Commission report is attempted to be implemented by the UDF, when it was in power. Now the LDF, which is ruling the State, can build upon the previous proposals. Meanwhile, those who disagree have always the option to move the Supreme Court.

The prevailing national level agitation has not caught up with the Kerala scenario. Maybe, it has already been taken care of one way or other.

It is an emotional issue at the national level, considering the attempts at self-immolation by youths in many North Indian States. The fact that emotions have overtaken engagement calls for infusing equipoise. The other day, a 23-year-old youth who attempted self-immolation in Delhi revealed that he was not a student, but a worker.

There could be mischievous politicking as well. Traders, doctors, engineers, and others have taken sides. Two members of the National Knowledge Commission have put in their papers.

Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh, who found it fit to uncork the reservation “genie” during the Assembly elections, harks back on the 93rd Constitution Amendment. The Prime Minister cannot back-track on the issue.
In UP, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is “speaking daggers” against Arjun Singh. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Prakash Karat pooh-pooh the idea of Mulayam.

However, if Prakash Karat wants creamy layers left out of reservation benefits, Lalu Yadav would have none of the sort.

The potential for excitability is immense and the country cannot afford a fresh bout of communal flare-up.

The basic instinct should be for the country to provide facilities for students to pursue the education they want. The State would be failing in its calling, if the students do not have opportunities. There should be thousand-fold increase in the number of institutions of excellence.