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INDIA TODAY

CURRENT ISSUE JUNE 05, 2006

NATION: RESERVATIONS

Arjun Gets His Quota

The UPA Government overcomes the GoM and forces through reservations for OBCs despite resignations and protests

By Neeraj Mishra

PICTURE SPEAK

CASTE CHAMPIONS: Arjun Singh (right) has won Manmohan's backing

These were two letters Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had not expected on completion of two years in office. On May 22, two members of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), which is dear to him, wrote to him "questioning his ability to lead". Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Andre Beteille submitted their resignations from the NKC, making it clear that they disagreed with the government policy of making "caste the only reality in India".

That did not, however, deter Manmohan's Government, which went ahead and declared the next day that OBC quotas in higher education and Central universities would come into effect from June 2007. He obviously had given up attempts to placate the students, whose hunger strike had entered the 12th day at AIIMS. The hurried announcement was a result of pressure from allies like RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, and the fear that any delay would only benefit OBC-dominated parties like the Samajwadi Party, which has invoked ESMA in Uttar Pradesh.

To drive the point home thousands of pro-reservation students gathered at the Talkatora Stadium in Delhi to rival the "Youth for Equality" solidarity of the anti-reservation doctors on strike with the "Equality for All" group. "The Government's announcement is deeply disappointing because it reinforces the cardinal weakness of the Indian system-all institutions have to be reduced to the same level," said Mehta in his letter. Beteille agreed with him on the fact that the Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry is giving too much importance to the 93rd Amendment. He pointed out that it is not a mandatory provision, but only an enabling one. Both feel that the prime minister could still have taken the lead and put a lid on the controversy by not considering legislation so soon. "Not everything that is lawful is wise or even prudent," wrote Beteille.

The UPA has tactfully postponed the introduction of the Bill to the Monsoon session, but when colleges open for the 2007 session will there be as many extra seats as promised? The GOM, headed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, estimated that at least 54 per cent more seats in Central institutes and universities will have to be added at a cost of Rs 7,800 crore and there will be a recurring expenditure of Rs 2,200 crore. At the dinner to celebrate the completion of two years in office, Manmohan was still iffy about introducing the quota in June 2007. He had assured the students of a staggered introduction over three years, but with the Left changing its tune at the eleventh hour and joining the DMK-RJD chorus, he had to give in.

"We can't have both academic excellence and identity politics based on caste."
ANDRE BETEILLE FORMER MEMBER, NKC

"Quotas will ensure that all institutions are reduced to the same level."
PRATAP BHANU MEHTA EX-CONVENER, NKC

The doctors on strike may have got some support in the media and among the intelligentsia, but not from the political establishment. After Union Health Secretary P.K. Hota held talks with doctors on strike at AIIMS, the students appear to be giving up the ghost against quota and are looking at the sop of an increased number of seats. This, however, will not be smooth sailing. While directors of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Kolkata have agreed to increase the number of seats, some, like Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental, say it is difficult without upgrading the infrastructure.

In the education business there are murmurs about a new opportunity in setting up institutions outside India for Indians. Already, bits Pilani has a branch in Dubai. Others are looking at similar opportunities. Ironically, the best institutions may continue to be Indian but could just be outside India.

The messiah of Mandal II, HRD Minister Arjun Singh, has clearly won the first round. While he has insured his political survival within the Congress and the Government, he has also, in a small way, ensured victory for himself or his family in the next polls in the OBC-dominated Satna-Sidhi region of Madhya Pradesh. The Congress too has used the protests to gain traction among the OBC, though the jury is out on whether it will translate into electoral gains. Manmohan may appear to have lost some of the sheen of credibility but the biggest casualty is the democratic process. That such a major decision should be ushered in through the back door and used brazenly for political gains is a telling statement on governance under the UPA.

INTERVIEW | SAM PITRODA

"Should children carry caste labels in this age?"

Sam Pitroda, chairman of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), spoke to Managing Editor Shankkar Aiyar on reservations in higher education. Excerpts:

Q. Two members of the NKC have quit protesting against the quotas.

A. It is a great loss but I respect their decision.

Q. Are you planning to quit? What happens to the NKC now?

A. No. We are advising the Government on knowledge from the five key standpoints: access to knowledge; knowledge concepts; knowledge creation; knowledge application and knowledge services. Reservations are just one part of a much larger puzzle related to access.

Q. What is the NKC's stand on reservations?

A. The information society we want to build must be inclusive. Reservations in schools are all right; in fact, there should be 100 per cent compulsory education for everyone.

Q. What about professional colleges, higher education...?

A. We have allowed too much political interference. They need more autonomy, not quotas.

Q. How do you make higher education inclusive without quotas?

A. Expand. Provide more seats and start more IITs and IIMs. Build more universities.

Q. Have you spoken to the prime minister?

A. Yes. I have spoken to the prime minister and explained our position.

Q. What was his reaction?

A. He listened to us. He knows the issues involved.

Q. Is your spat with Arjun Singh a difference of opinion or politics?

A. I am not qualified to comment on the politics of it. My job is to see what is good for India, not what is good for a particular caste or for votes.

Q. Why did the NKC have to enter the reservations arena?

A. It is our moral duty to speak up. My problem is that people get confused between access and excellence.

Q. Does Sam Pitroda represent an upper caste view?

A. I am the son of a carpenter. I am an OBC. But I never took advantage of quotas. This is not about personal stuff.

Q. So what is this all about?

A. This is not about reservations. This is about 550 million children who are the future of India. Do we want them to be identified by their castes in the 21st century? This is about the new India of the next century and how we want to shape it.

INTERVIEW | MEIRA KUMAR

"Merit is used to practise mental untouchability"

The soft-spoken Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar spoke to Managing Editor Shankkar Aiyar and Special Correspondent Neeraj Mishra on reservations in the private sector. Excerpts:

Q. There is a race among Congressmen on reservations. Is the party desperate?

A. There is no race nor is the Congress desperate.

Q. Is it not true that the Congress is using quotas as a formula to regain its lost glory by wooing voters?

A. There is certainly glory whenever the SC/ST population is taken along on the path of development. Not just for political parties, but also for the nation.

Q. How come B.R. Ambedkar did not think of reservations for the SC/ST in the private sector?

A. There is no such statement by Dr Ambedkar suggesting that this is unconstitutional.

Q. But he didn't suggest reservations for the SC/ST in the private sector.

A. I won't go into who suggested it. The fact is that after the 1991 liberalisation, it was felt that jobs were being created in the private sector. Dalits need to get a share of prosperity.

Q. What is the stance of the Group of Ministers?

A. We have met each of the representative private sector industrial organisations such as Assocham, PHDCCI, CII and FICCI. There is support for affirmative action, though the private sector seems to be holding back on reservations.

Q. What is the view of the industry chambers and corporates?

A. I have been talking to captains of industry such as Ratan Tata, Sunil Mittal, Keshub Mahindra and Anu Aga. They have been very positive. Twenty-one of them have also sent letters of support for affirmative action. They have talked about skill-building, scholarships and capacity-building.

Q. Is the Government focusing on jobs and not skills because that's what gets the politicians the votes?

A. Getting votes is being spoken about with much contempt. We live in a country which is a democracy.

Q. Six out of 10 Dalits are unable to make it through primary school. Shouldn't that be the focus?

A. I have been hearing this sermon from private industry for some time. They need to visit remote areas where the Government is spending millions to educate the underprivileged. They are casting aspersions on our merit, which I feel is some kind of mental untouchability.

Q. Has industry asked for a formula for implementing quotas?

A. With the kind of mandate we have, we can push legislation any day. But we want harmony and want industry to do it voluntarily. Now I have got requests from industrialists asking whether we have a formula.Q. Can we expect a Bill in the Monsoon session?

A. I won't give a deadline but it is going to happen very soon.

RELATED STORIES
Reservation: Bitter Medicine	Reservations: Casting For Votes
Education: Quibbing Over Quotas	Quota For Muslims: Minority Report
Andhra Pradesh: Backward Move	Aligarh Muslim University: Seat of Contention

Index



CURRENT ISSUE JUNE 05, 2006

IN THIS ISSUE
	COVER STORY

	Top 10 Colleges ARTS COMMERCE SCIENCE ENGINEERING LAW MEDICINE READY RECKONER
	OTHER STORIES
	On Coalition Course Arjun Gets His Quota Reality Check Shock Market King's Ransom Rising from the Ruins Picturing The Past Racing Away Out Of The Rough A Premature Elegy

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