My CAN-I Thought Process!: New Category on Reservations

November 08, 2005

New Category on Reservations

The comments that came up on the concept of reservations in India, in response to one of my previous post Building India started a new 'Thinking Process Thread' in my brain. That thread got fueled today at lunch when the topic of Muslim reservations in Andhra Pradesh came up.
I commented:

Reservations based on Religion are against Constitution of India India. The preamble of India declares India as a Secular country. Providing reservations based on religion is the fist step in making the country a religion driven country.

Immediately after the discussion I decided to dedicate a category to 'Reservations' and express my views on the subject of Reservations. So, keep looking for more stuff on the topic.

I did a cursory research on Indian constitution, and I found that the preamble of the constitution declares:

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

The Preamble to the Constitution serves two purposes: -

A) It indicates the source from which the Constitution derives its authority;
B) It also states the objects, which the Constitution seeks to establish and promote.

The preamble is not a part of the Constitution of India as it is not enforceable in a court of law.

An interesting side note concerns the words "SOCIALIST" and "SECULAR" in the preamble. The original drafting used the words "SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". The two additional words "SOCIALIST" and "SECULAR" were introduced by the controversial 42nd amendment. The amendment was pushed through by Indira Gandhi in 1976, when she had dictatorial powers. A committee under the chairmanship of Sardar Swaran Singh made the recommendations after being constituted to study the question of amending the constitution in the light of past experiences.

After reading the preamble, I realized that the words 'SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC' gives me enough food for thought to write under the reservations category. I will try my best not to be biased while expressing my thoughts, but will surely try to instigate sensible discussions on the topic.

Posted by Ramdhan Yadav at November 8, 2005 08:06 PM Perma Link

Comments

That very word 'socialism' and the workings of Mr.Nehru did us in for almost 40 years.
There is a popular belief in India that if it were Sardar patel as first PM; things would have been more progressive.
Thanks in part to Rajiv and mostly to Mr.Rao, the country is turning around in the right direction(hopefully).

Posted by: Kishore Dandu at November 9, 2005 04:47 PM

Reservations against religion are not good for any country in the long term. In the begining, when reservations against religion was conceived(1950's), it was assumed that people from certain castes/religions are generally backward compared to other castes/religions. But it's no longer the case today.
Reservations based on economic situation makes more sense. But even that is not good. Instead of that all jobs, admissions should be purely based on merit. But at the same time, government should come up with grants, loans and subsidies for economically backward people to compete with others. Merit should be criteria.
Politicians are keeping this issue alive just to get their votes.

Posted by: Reddy at November 10, 2005 02:14 PM

as pointed by Reddy "Reservations against religion are not good for any country in the long term" yes its true ...our politicians are corrupt assholes just to get votes from people they do everything...the supreme court has also warned the center not confront on this issue inspite the UPA government says they will bring amendment to constitution. reservation should be allowed in educational or juduicial system. this is real crap.

Posted by: Ranjith at November 11, 2005 12:07 PM

Reddy:
There is no way we can pursue "Admission or jobs purely on meritocrocy". It simply will not cut it in india's perspective.
We need reservations for some more generations(because there isn't a lot change in suppression etc that can be observed in major parts of India, ofcourse it is practised passively now-a-days) But we need stricter enforcement, that only the needy claim the reservation. Not the guy whose dad is already welloff and those folks don't need this facility.
I am not saying it works in Texas. But here in texas there is rule:"Top 10% of a schools graduates can attend any public institute of their choice". That is the max in texas for meritocracy. If you fall beyond that 10% and you are from good school, you have to show other traits to getinto the university of your choice.

Posted by: kishore dandu at November 13, 2005 11:53 AM

I just wanted to revive this topic to discuss on the present situation regarding reservations in India.

I feel it is a shame to increase the quotas and i hope there are more protests in the lines of 1990(remember Mandal commission anybody).

I have a post dedicated in my blog.

Posted by: Kishore Dandu at May 21, 2006 11:06 AM

Reservation is NOT GOOD AT ALL, it is nothing but a support which usally handicaps tries to get and perform as well.

Posted by: df at May 23, 2006 05:00 AM