Rajasthan Government has approved the bill for reservation of 5% for Gujjars and 14% for Economically Backward Classes (ECB) over and above existing reservation of 49 % shared by OBC 21% , ST 12% and SC 16%.It is against the ruling of Supreme Court that in no case reservation should be more than 50%.
In the past several times state government as also central government have attempted to go beyond the ceiling of 49% against the provision and spirit of the Constitution in temptation of political benefits but the judiciary have always given the verdict against such measures of the government.
This is once again a shameful day when government has directly exhibited contempt of court and invited litigation in the court. Congress party has made several histories by going against the wishes of the highest court as also the basic structure and spirit of the Constitution. As such the enhancement of quota by Rajasthan government is not that much astonishing. At least Mr. Arjun Singh, Congress Party high profile leader and the Ex Minister of Reservation will celebrate it.
It may be the dramatic attempt of the government to please the caste and the group which were in agitation since long. It may be an attempt of the government to strengthen its vote bank because they know very well that they cannot perform otherwise. Reservation is the one and only tool in the hands of politicians of this country which they often use to attract voters in their fold.
There is no doubt that such steps of the government not only humiliates the judiciary but also it will generate more and more violent movement in many other states by different castes and groups Opposition parties may use this example to demand such type of reservation at all India level and may ultimately lead to aggressive movement, dangerous violence and self burning as happened in the past when ambitious ex- Prime Minister Mr. V. P. Singh had announced quota for OBCs.
It is very much sad that there is none in political camp who can courageously oppose such whimsical moves of the government. Whoever opposes such moves will bear the brunt of the innocent but offensive mob. As such everyone will try to raise more and more demands and undoubtedly open Pandora’s Box for the government.
I however hope some PIL will be filed in the court against the decision of the Rajasthan government and that the judiciary will take note of such unconstitutional steps of the government and reverse the shameful decision very soon.
Reservation is the not at all the right and the lasting solution for the long persisting problem of unemployment .Most of the government departments have almost stopped fresh recruitment since 1991 and there is ridiculously always talk of reservation and quota by rulers of this country. Number of employees working in PSUs and government offices has been continuously coming down due to retirement, resignation or death. What is the use of quota when there are no fresh opportunities for job seekers? It is only private sector which has provided some relief to unemployment youths. And perhaps this is why politicians of this country are trying to destroy the work culture of private sectors too by motivating and pressurizing private sectors to introduce quota voluntarily.
Anyway, I strongly feel that whatever may be the quantum of reservation or the decision of the court, actual development and creation of job can only give ultimate and permanent relief to common men of the country. Voters as also politicians of this country have to understand necessarily this bitter truth and honestly act in this direction. Otherwise country cannot hope for improvement in work standard and overall image of the Nation.
Danendra Jain
1st August 2009
CAclubindia
