Reservation is a system that reserves a certain percentage of seats in government jobs, higher education institutions, and even in the legislature for minorities. However, this practice was started to correct the social and economic inequality that had existed for many centuries. The debate of reservation being outdated or essential for fairness in society has always existed. Let us see both sides and know if there is still a need for a reservation today.

Why Was Reservation Introduced?

Reservation policies were brought mainly in India to address the deep-rooted caste-based discrimination that had existed for centuries. SCs/STs/OBCs were socially and economically deprived castes as their status in the caste system of India was quite low. Originally, the concept of the reservation was to grant the above-disadvantaged societies a better chance at education, employment, and political voice. This was seen as a way of uplifting them and closing the social/economic divide between the privileged and underprivileged.

Is Reservation still Relevant in Modern Society?

Many people who stand for the practice of providing reservations argue that it is still needed in the present world. They are convinced that even though there is economic growth and development, prejudice towards vulnerable groups of the population is still very common. Caste discrimination may not be evident in the current cities. It is very much present in the rural areas where India’s majority population is found.

Those who support reservation argue that in the absence of it, the disadvantaged will continue to suffer at the lower end of the economic ladder. They point out that even today people from such castes have less material power, small chances and suffer discrimination in schools and workplaces. To them, reservation provides a fairground and an opportunity for the sometimes oppressed groups to have a brighter future.

The Argument That Reservation is Outdated

On the other hand, there is a perceived notion that reservation may not be the best solution to address inequality. Another common objection is that reservation as of now is unconstitutional and creates ineffectiveness because jobs are given to people of a particular caste regardless of their abilities. They assume that this system is more justified, and will lead to an increase in achievements.

Others have also argued that reservation gives an unfair edge to ‘reserved’ categories to the extent of causing ‘reverse discrimination’ such as rejecting otherwise deserving individuals from the general category. They believe it is wrong and leads to bitterness between different groups of people and thus enlarges existing gaps in society.

Furthermore, some people believe that reservation favours only a part of the disadvantaged communities, especially the wealthy ones. For example, the children of big business people or families in highly paid jobs, or from the reserved categories, can benefit, and those who need it are left out.

Has Reservation achieved its goals?

A lot of controversy has arisen in the course of its implementation about the question of whether reservation has hit the targets it was formed to achieve. Those supporting reservation believe reform has led to a new ‘middle class’ among the SCs, STs and OBCs. They have better access to education and jobs than their previous generation.

Opponents argue that much progress has been made. The problems remain the same, such as poverty, illiteracy and the absence of necessities in most affected populations. They also contend that reservation alone cannot solve these problems. There are needed solutions such as infrastructure, education, health care and many more.

Should Reservation Be Reformed?

Due to the complexity of the issue, some people think that reservation should not be abolished, but transformed. Various policies have been made to change the criterion of reservation from caste bias to an economic one. In this way, the intended ones, regardless of their caste, who deserve to get support from the government and society, will be the ones who will benefit from these policies. This would also help to mute objections that some people are being favoured to take advantage of the system to gain wealth.

The other idea is that it deserves to decrease the percentage of reserved seats as the inequality in society is minimised. This would promote the right type of competition that comes for merit though at the same time addressing the needs of the deserving but disadvantaged.

Conclusion

The Debate on whether the reservation is an outdated policy or a reform measure is still very active. Although it has been seen as an enabler of growth for many oppressed people, there are emerging questions about its form and efficiency. Maybe, the solution is to improve the mechanisms that would allow targeting needy people while maintaining the principles of merit and equality.

Finally, the long-term goal is to design a community in which there is no concept of reserve, since from the start, everyone bears an identical possibility. Until then the debate of whether reservation is a thing of the past or whether it is still needed will continue to be a topic of national controversy.

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