Career

Caste Away

Economic Times Mumbai; Date: Apr 24, 2006; Section: Learning Curve; Page: 13

WITH the gloom of caste having cast its shadow over the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management, the reservation debate is back. Being from the other backward category myself, I wish to highlight here two key issues that need attention from the public in general, and the backward community in particular.

First, I completely agree with Ratan Tata when he says, “reservation is not the right way to move forward”. However, many elite academicians, professionals and alumni of various institutes have cried foul saying that at least premier institutes like the IITs and IIMs should be kept away from the backward caste-based reservation system, even though most other institutes in the country are already burdened with such reservations. It may sound alarming, but this is the very attitude that breeds casteism. Ask yourself: by asking that the IITs and IIMs be conferred a special status, aren’t we in fact asking for reservation for IITs and IIMs against reservation? Aren’t we starting to create a new caste — IIT-IIM? Aren’t we making the same mistake again?

True, reservations are not the way forward, but the argument should not be that the IITs and IIMs be spared from this quota Raj. The argument should be that institutes like the IIT and IIM be used as precursors to removing the quota Raj from all institutes; not ignoring the fact that there are genuine people from the backward category who need some handholding before they become economically and educationally independent.

Secondly, I would like to appeal to people belonging to the backward community. While it is no surprise that people from the non-backward community are up in arms against the quota hike regulation, the backward community can tackle this issue in a constructive and novel way by setting an example for others. Those from the backward community who have the financial capability to avail of educational resources may make an attempt to start saying no to reservations. At the risk of self-aggrandising, here’s a personal example. When I was in queue for admission to various business schools, I could have easily confirmed my seat in one of the country’s premier institutes had I opted for a reservation quota seat. But frankly I didn’t deserve that seat in the spirit of the law, since I had sufficient financial resources to match up with those from the open category. The logical thing to do was to opt for an open category seat, which I did, even though it meant by-passing a prised seat in a premier B-school.

This may sound simple, but I was harshly criticised by friends and wellwishers who thought I was being too idealistic and immature. But, I believe, it is these small steps from the backward community that could well shape India’s future. I don’t think I am the only person who has got the better of a temptation to abuse loopholes in the system. I am sure there are numerous people who must have similarly done what any responsible citizen should. My appeal to the backward community is to promote and encourage such a culture. Notwithstanding the law of the land and political agendas, no body can stop us from being just to ourselves and, more importantly, to others.

I also wish to appeal to people who have shown such honesty to be more vocal about their unflinching confidence and start encouraging others to follow suit. You don’t need to have made it ‘big’ in life to do so. This single very act is ‘big’ enough for you to hold your head high and ask others to trace your footsteps. It is as much our duty to be upright as to encourage others to do so.

Finally, I foresee that it is only when the backward community takes it up upon itself to tackle the caste-based reservation system will India open a new chapter in its social landscape.

The author, an alumnus of VJTI and NMIMS, works with SBI Capital Markets. The views expressed are personal.