Exclusive: ‘Upper Caste Quota is a Mockery’, Says Yogendra Yadav

The government recently passed the 10% EWS quota Bill, but what is the objective behind the reservation?

The Quint speaks to political analyst Yogendra Yadav to understand the objective behind the reservation and who is entitled to it.

(Image: The Quint)

Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam
Video Producer: Mohd Imran Khan
Camerperson: Shivkumar Maurya

The government recently passed the 10 percent quota Bill for economically weak upper castes of the society, but what is the objective behind the reservation? Whom does it benefit? The Quint speaks to political analyst Yogendra Yadav.

According to Yogendra Yadav, the reservation system has been treated like a joke. While governments have come and gone, all of them have played around with reservations. The political analyst thinks that lack of education and employment opportunities are the main reason behind this.

The problem is that in our country, two basic things do not work. Because of this, the entire pressure falls on reservation. First is our school education system that does not function well. Children do not have access to proper education. The second is employment. There are not enough job opportunities. Due to the lack of these issues, people end up believing that the solution to every 
problem lies in reservation.  

Yogendra Yadav, Political analyst

Objective Behind Reservation Being Messed With

The provision of reservation, as originally given in the Constitution, was only for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The intention here was that reservation should be given to those who have suffered injustice for centuries, who have been deprived of education and job opportunities.

Yadav feels that the reservation system granted by the Constitution was a historic opportunity for such people. It was an attempt to make amends for the ‘historical sins’ committed by the Hindu society. According to Yadav, the provision was stretched to include more people in the later years, and the current government’s attempt is no less.

How Did The Government Set a Limit of Rs 8 Lakh?

Questions are being raised on the 10 percent reservation quota that includes families whose annual income is nearly Rs 8 lakh. Yadav calls this a mockery, and adds that it will not benefit any upper caste.

What does the Rs 8 lakh limit mean? It means that country’s approximately 98% people are included in this. From the 51% open positions at least 20-30% jobs are going to those who belong to the general category or whose income is below Rs 8 lakh. Those who are already getting 20%, what benefit would they get from the 10% reservation?

Yogendra Yadav, Political analyst

In the end, Yogendra Yadav also added that there are 24 lakh jobs that are vacant in this country.  The posts are lying empty with the government and pure drama is underway.