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As the 10 percent quota Bill sparks a nationwide debate, The Quint’s Chaupal visited Chamarajanagar, 180 kilometres from capital Bengaluru, to interact with the youth and find out whether they believe the proposed reservation will serve genuine beneficiaries.
The 10 percent quota Bill, which was passed in the Parliament, intends to provide reservation for the economically weaker sections among upper castes.
Genuine Quota or Poll Gimmick?
Everyone that The Quint spoke to were convinced that the quota Bill was an ill-thought measure that had been brought about with one eye on the upcoming 2019 elections. According to them, the proposed quota will benefit members of the upper caste who have already benefited from generations of upliftment and positive affirmation.
“I feel this present reservation for economically weaker sections that the Modi government has brought about...is a gimmick. I don’t think it is going to solve the present problem of the youth. The youth are looking for employment, they are looking for good quality education but none of these kind of reservation policies is going to help them in those things.”Dr Swati S, scientist
Other students described the proposed quota as one of the most “degrading and harmful” thing for Indian society. They believed that the Modi government was using the proposed quota as a “poll plank”, with no clarity on how it will be implemented or whether there are enough jobs to serve all those in need of one.
They also argued that while reversing economic inequality was one of the major poll promises that Modi has used, if the reservation comes into being, it would only widen the income and status gap.
“This is because instead of reducing economic inequality among the population, it is choosing to benefit only the general category and forward communities. This is criminal and undermines and goes against the Constitution itself. This is not going to do the country any good and creates a dangerous situation for the rest of the country.”Rajanikanth, contract employee
Who Will Actually Benefit From the Quota?
“The new order passed by the central government ensuring 10 percent reservation is going to help the already privileged. The poor are going to remain poor. The point of reservation is to uplift the downtrodden or backward communities. But now, it will only benefit those who are already uplifted. The Modi government has introduced this new reservation with one eye on the upcoming elections, which means that they are hoping to gain by helping a particular caste. All sections of society are not being treated equally.”Nagesh, PG political science student
Siddaraju B, another post-graduate political science student, felt the quota would only serve the Brahmin community and those that were already well-to-do. He also criticised the PM for posturing when he could have been working for the people.
A Reservation for All is a Reservation for None
Arguing that the criteria set forward by the government for being eligible for the 10 percent reservation would include 98 percent of the population, youngsters said that the quota promise was turning out to be a joke.
“The policy says that it is for economically weaker sections and the criterion for it is earning under Rs 8 lakh. Having an annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh covers almost 98 percent of the Indian population. So, it’s a joke. It is turning out to be a joke.”Dr Swathi S, scientist
Instead of bringing about an arbitrary quota, these youngsters feel that the Modi government should have focused on job creation, strengthening primary and secondary education, wealth redistribution policies and other progressive, inclusive measures.
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