Caste based Reservation Policy of India

The placement of people from top to bottom based on perpetuated differences in status is termed social stratification. The two main methods of social stratification are caste and class. The caste system has a huge impact on the status i.e., the position of an individual in the society. It finds its origin in India and as a system of social stratification, is prevalent only in India.

Caste is closely related to Hindu teachings and religion. It is supported by rituals and ceremonies. We find more than 2800 castes in India each with its peculiarities. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are the dominant castes found in almost all the states of India.

The word caste means breed or lineage. Race, color, and occupation are the basis of the Indian Caste System. Finding its origin in the Chaturvarna system, the Hindu society was divided into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras then known as varnas. The Varna system prevalent in the Vedic period was based on the division of labor and occupation only. However, in the present era, it has degraded involving division based on race, and color and this leads to rigidity of statuses in the society.

Brahmins were considered intellectual and they were given the position of teachers and priests. Kshatriyas occupied the second place and were considered warriors. Vaishyas in the third place were the artisans, traders, and farmers. Shudras in the last place were considered inferior and subjected to poor treatment and inferior jobs.

The idea of reservation was developed by William Hunter and Jyotirao Phule in 1882.

Reservation refers to the government policies to give certain privileges to minorities. Untouchability and the caste system being prevalent in India, the reservation was regarded as a positive step to reduce the gap between the upper caste and the lower caste and to protect the minorities from discrimination.

In the Indian context, the caste system and reservation strategy are inseparable. The lower castes were subjugated leading to financial underdevelopment. The constitution disallows discrimination based on race, religion, and sex under article 14 but it also lays down articles that allow special treatment of weaker segments like the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes under article 15 (4), who form the major recipients of the reservation in the legislature, employment, and educational institutions.

After independence, the reservation was introduced only for SCs and STs to overcome discrimination based on caste inequality. Later in 1991, OBCs were also included under the recommendation of the Mandal Commission. 15% of seats for SCs and 7.5% for STs were reserved under the All-India Quota seats. However, in 2019 by the 103^rd constitutional amendment, a 10% reservation was given to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). In 2021, the government decided to give 27% reservation to OBCs.

The stories of Phoolan Devi and Raju Bairwa falling prey to the caste system and being abused still hurt us and portray how the crimes against Dalits are still prevalent. However, reservation is regarded as positive discrimination leading to a reduction in caste inequality. Reservation is a must to uplift and give equal opportunities to the weaker and lower castes.

Reservations show the policy of Equality under the Constitution. People are believed to have risen from poor conditions due to the reservation policy. Not having access to adequate resources, the lower castes weren’t able to rise above their situations. Reservation is just a way by which they are compensated for the inequality and they also get a voice to present their ideas. This is done through reservation for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha where they can actively participate in decision making and present their views.

Reservation in educational institutions gives poor people an opportunity for good education and a chance to overcome their financial problems. The lower castes are excelling in various fields since the introduction of the reservation policy.

However, it defeats the purpose of meritocracy. There is a flip side to the policy if it is exploited.

It strengthens the caste system in Indian society and leads to further division. Not all backward castes are financially struggling. Thus, providing reservations to them and taking away the opportunities from genuinely financially weak individuals is a demerit. It gives reservation in competitive exams and government jobs based on caste and not on merit, giving a major disadvantage to the other category who put in hours of hard work. It also leads to lethargic behavior among the backward castes as they believe they will get a job anyway. The quality of work is affected.

The decision of the government to provide reservations for OBCs in medical and dental colleges affects the chances of meritorious students getting seats in top colleges and this also affects the quality of medical practitioners in the society. It also impacts MBA aspirants and the availability of good and learned officials and executives.

Reservation policy was introduced for the economic upliftment of the lower castes however over the years it has been exploited by the politicians for their benefit. This demands for it to be reviewed and amended to lead to the betterment of society as a whole.