Reservation In Private Sectors

Reservation In Private Sectors

( By Rounakshi Dey ) 

Image By:- Goutham Sagar

Have you watched the movie Aarakshan? If not, then one should definitely watch the movie. This movie by Prakash Jha is based on one of the burning issues of Indian society i.e. Caste based reservation. Reservation, according to the Indian Constitution provides representation for the disadvantaged groups of Indian society. Article 15 and 16 of our Constitution allows the Indian government to set quotas to ensure any "socially and educationally backward classes of citizens" is properly represented in public life. When did this reservation start in our country? This reservation system dates back to 1909 when the Britishers introduced elements of reservation in the Government of India Act, 1909. Later, Dr. B.R Ambedkar introduced it by in our Constitution, post-Independence. However, this was only for ten years, after which it was subject to revision. But none of the Ruling parties took an initiative to revise the reservation system in our country.

The Necessity of  Reservation System:-

Since long back, even before the Britishers colonized our country, there was the presence of the caste system. The higher caste people enjoyed every benefit of society from education to economic status. The lower caste people were mere slaves. The lower castes were often referred to as the ‘Untouchables’. They lived their lives doing menial jobs and serving the higher castes. They were denied any sort of education. Even they were not allowed to drink water from the same well from where the higher castes drew water. There was a huge disparity between the higher and lower classes. This caste system was hereditary in nature. Son of an untouchable was to remain an untouchable throughout this life, he could not study even if he was more meritorious than a higher class boy. This caused a section of society, to be backward and economically poor. In order to bring everyone in society to the same level, this caste-based reservation was done. This reservation had fixed quotas in every government institutes like colleges, universities, or jobs for these backward sections of the society. This allowed everyone the right to live life as they wished. As these people were not at par with the higher classes, they were given admission in colleges at a much lower score, so that they could get a chance to study and progress in life. Dr. B.R Ambedkar introduced this system for a period of ten years as he hoped that within this time, the caste-based disparity in the society will be dissolved and everyone will be at par with one another.

The Present Condition:-

As we have progressed, we no longer have a stringent caste-based system in our society now. The higher classes do not look down upon the lower classes. Everyone is on par in terms of social status based on the caste system. People no longer are bothered to ask each other their caste system. But the quotas in government sectors still exist based on the caste system. Private sectors, however, do not implement this caste system reservation. There has been a long debate as to whether the private sectors should introduce quotas in their sectors as well. The majority of the Indians will say NO. The reason for the disagreement is also a very valid one. The reserved people, already enjoy a lot of facilities from the Government. While, the General people work hard day and night, to get into reputed government colleges, these people with reservations are relaxed as they are confident that even with low marks, they will easily get into the same college. If this same system prevails in Private organizations, it will completely be unfair for the General people. In this 21st century India, no longer requires this reservation in Government sectors let alone Private sectors as well.

Economic Status based Reservation:-

A new category of reservation system was introduced by the Government in 2019 called the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category. This reservation was made for the financially weaker sections who could not afford a good education. This reservation was solely based on a person’s economic status and independent of the caste system. In order to get an EWS certificate, the family head needs to apply in his local panchayat or municipality. Based on the family’s annual income and possession of various properties this certificate is to be granted. This scheme was made in order to help the economically weaker section of the society as they barely make ends meet, leave alone focus on their education. This was a positive move by our Government. Though this reservation is only for the government sectors, even the private sectors should allow 10 percent reservation in order to help these ill-fated people of the society.

The caste-based reservation system should immediately be done away with. But none of the Government takes an initiative as they fear to lose their vote banks. The caste-based reservation system nowadays gives an unfair advantage. This reservation has been long enjoyed by various sections of the society, and now everyone is socially at par with each other. The Government should abolish this system immediately. Now, the Government should look for lessening the economic disparity in society. Economic based reservation should also be adopted by private sectors. By abolishing the caste-based reservation and adopting the economic status based reservation, we will do our bit for the society as well as for our future generations…

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