quota this and quota that

When the Congress is in power, one can expect all out campaigns to secure vote banks like there is no tomorrow. In my limited sensibilities in the past and present, I have seen that party come up with ridiculous vote bank schemes both at the state and national level a lot of times. Not that other political parties have a clean slate on this issue, but when it comes to the Con'gress, they can't seem to control their zeal with which they go about doing it.

The most recent cases would be the quotas in our educational institutions which the Gandhi household strongman Arjun Singh has been trying hard to push through, and the government's attempt to bring about a quota in the private sector.

Well, as i read this morning's news, I came across this news from various news agencies that the Government seems to have quietly buried their push to bring about a private sector quota legislation. If one recalls, they were threatening to bring the legislation out if the private sector didn't fall in line. Today, the government's position is that they encourage the private sector to fulfil their social obligations and there should be a form of 'affirmative action' on their part.

I think what the government didn't realize that the Indian industry of today is not the Indian industry of the 70's and 80's, when it could be pushed around and taken over at a whim. Today India's business houses and their leaders command respect and authority all over the world, and its good that the Government of India sees this too. While I do not disagree with the fact one bit that the private sector must up its social commitments, I think if they do desire to hire their employees on the basis of caste (which is a totally wrong way to go about it), it should be from the economically not so well off sections, it should be from the hinterlands and small towns. If they indeed want to make a change, they need to spread out to the small cities and villages and fund schools and plant trees. Thats the right way of going about it, I think, and I doubt the Government of India will realize it.

I think heres what the government tried to do with the education quota. While our forefathers divided the entire country into castes and tribes for their various constitutional ends, they did have a sunset clause on the various reservations. I dont think many people know this, and I am positive I was taught this in my civics class in High School. The last time the netas had to decide on bringing a slow end to various quotas, they extended it to 2010 (I think).

While many parts of the hinterland are still mired in caste wars and prejudices, the same rules shouldn't apply to the entire country. I think the biggest divisive factor in urban India is not your caste, but the money in your pocket. While the Government needs to continue to be 'tough', I am sorry, I meant to say needs to get tough, on such social evils, in the urban areas, I think it needs to change tactics. I think instead of dividing everyone in our colleges and institutions into castes and religions, it needs to build programs that will get the economically weaker sections the same opportunities to education and employment. You know what I am trying to say? Our aim should be to get ALL our children into schools, and all our youth into colleges, irrespective of what their background is.

To be fair to the government, I think the Midday meal scheme is wonderful, and I think we need to build on it. It gives an incentive to parents to send their kids to school, and I did read a couple of news reports that some states were really doing a good job too, despite their limited resources. I was really touched to read that in some places, the parents are involved too in the preparations of the meals and monitor their quality and nutritional value. God bless you all.

Coming back to the quota story, seems like Arjun "Yes ma'am" Singh is still grappling with the protests from students and others alike. Although now Arjun Singh has an ally now, in the form of the Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram. Wow, the last person you would expect in this mess right? I would just like to see what his views are.

Chidambaram gives a shot in the arm to Arjun

Asserting that quotas were essential, Mr Chidambaram told a television newschannel on Monday that he did not think that they affected the quality of education in any manner. “We should introduce reservations, (and) also increase the number of seats” he said.

The finance minister’s remarks, which are a clear endorsement of Mr Arjun Singh’s stance, significantly come two days before the meeting of the Knowledge Commission, set up by Prime Minister Manmohan, in the Capital.

The commission, headed by Sam Pitroda, had strongly criticised the move to allow reservation in elite institutions like IITs and IIMs, with the argument that doing so would dilute the quality of education. The stand was also backed by corporate India. The issue had also led to medical students staging protests against the proposal.

Differences within the government on the subject, however, came to the fore after science and technology minister Kapil Sibal publicly voiced his views against quotas, arguing that it would impact global competitiveness of the Indian industry.

Mr Chidambaram’s comments, however, also assume significance in the larger context of the Left’s support to the quota cause. There are a number of issues coming up where Mr Chidambaram would require the Left’s support, and so it would only help him if he made a common cause with them on this issue.
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So I read the last paragraph above, and I see that there are some issues that the FM needs the support of the left, I dont know yet what they might be, but I am assuming they will have to do with some financial reforms. So that is why he is supporting the stand taken by the left on the issue. Hmm, tragic that this has to happen on the national level. The Chinese puppets are basically bartering national progress man!

As for the students, they seem to be enjoying their day off from school, busy taking part in rallies all across the nation against Arjun Singh and his new bill.

United against quota: Students hold countrywide protests

The emotive issue of enhanced reservation in institutions of higher learning on Tuesday saw nationwide protests with students taking out rallies in the national capital and other parts of the country. The anti-reservation rally in the capital, taken out by over 1000 medical students of the five premier colleges of city, was joined by Delhi University students as well as school students.

Meanwhile, there was a sort of a face-off between the agitating students and pro-reservation rallyists as they gathered at the same venue - Jantar Mantar - to hold their demonstrations.

The pro-reservation activists, under the banner of the All India Minorities Front, criticised the protest by the students and said reservation was necessary to bring about social justice.

Students also took out rallies to protest the reservation proposal in Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai. Students of several medical colleges in Ahmedabad decided to boycott classes for an indefinite period from Tuesday to protest the proposed hike in reservation.

Students and interns of medical colleges in West Bengal are gearing up to intensify their protest against the Centre's proposal to increase the quota for OBC students in institutions of higher learning.

Students of several medical colleges in Ahmedabad, including N H L Municipal Medical College and B J Medical College, have decided to boycott classes for an indefinite period from Monday to protest government's proposed reservation policy.
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Mum's the word for Arjun Singh

While angry medical students and Delhi Police fought street battles on the for protesting against the proposed OBC quota in institutes of higher learning, the man at the centre of the storm – Union HRD minister Arjun Singh – chose to remain conspicuously silent.

In fact, ever since the controversy over reservations for backward classes started..Singh has maintained a stoic silence - waiting for others to make their stand clear.

Sources close to Arjun Singh say that he is convinced that on a matter as sensitive as the quota debate and that no political party will oppose his proposals.

From the BJP to his own UPA allies, everyone has taken the same line as Singh. The only point of contention has been the timing of Singh's quota proposal.

Political ramifications and controversies apart, the HRD Ministry feels it stands on a strong wicket on the issue, as the 93rd constitution amendment empowers the government to reserve seats for OBC students in higher educational institutions.