Caste based Reservation Policy of India

Despite being the world's largest democracy, India's caste structure has resulted in a plethora of scandals. The caste system has been an integral part of Indian society for as long as anybody can remember. The "lower castes" were subjugated by the "upper castes" under this system. As a result, the Indian government implemented caste-based reservation in government positions and educational institutions in order to better the plight of the lower castes. But the question remains whether this has been useful or if it has resulted in the discrepancies being even more pronounced. Or maybe a reservation system based on income or economics is a better option?

The caste-based quota system in India has sparked several discussions, conflicts, and riots. Some people are in favour of the programme, while others are against it. Supporters of the system believe it can protect and uplift society's weaker people. Opponents, on the other hand, said that caste-based quotas would not help the economic position of economically disadvantaged people. This blog discusses the issues of caste-based reservation in India.

Caste is not a new concept; it is well-known and universally acknowledged to be roughly 3000 years old. In India, caste determines individual and family social stratification. The definition of Manusmirti, Hindu law's first legal source, recognises and supports the social structure as the foundation of society's order and regularity. In Hindi, caste is known as 'Jati,' and when we talk about caste as a system, we look at all of the factors that divide Hindus into four major castes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. According to one interpretation of the Rigveda, the first person in our universe (Brahma) sacrificed himself in order to create our society. The numerous physical components distinguish people of distinct castes (varna).Brahmins originated from Brahma's head, Kshatriyas from his arms, Vaishyas from his thighs, and Shudras from his feet. Brahmins were thought to be intelligent and were granted positions as teachers and priests. The Kshatriyas, who were considered warriors, came in second. The artisans, traders, and farmers were the Vaishyas in third position. Shudras were the last group to be regarded inferior, and they were treated badly and given low-paying employment.

In 1882, William Hunter and Jyotirao Phule proposed the concept of reservation.

Reservation refers to government measures that grant minority special treatment. Due to the prevalence of untouchability and the caste system in India, reservation was seen as a beneficial step in closing the gap between the higher and lower castes and protecting minorities from prejudice.

The British successfully ended the caste system in India after enacting caste-based quota legislation. As previously stated, socially disadvantaged people were tortured and denied basic human rights, respect, and dignity, while upper caste families were tyrannical and unapologetic in their abuse of those below them. People from lower castes were viewed as a threat to society because they were frequently involved in criminal activity, robbery, and pillage, all of which contributed to their social backwardness. As society progressed through the dark ages, industrialisation, the Enlightenment, and the modern era, the focus shifted to the protection of human rights, the wider benefits of backwardness (economic, social, and political), and education.

As illustrated by numerous cases of caste discrimination encountered on a daily basis, people's opinions against lower castes have not changed. There was still a case where upper caste people objected to a Dalit groom riding a horse and pelting stone; members of the lower hierarchy cannot share food or sit in front of upper caste people; ironically, India's president, Shri Ramnath Kovid, was denied entry to a temple[v]; thus, the reservation was felt to ensure lower caste people's right to equality. It was regularly scolded for being unjust and backward, but it largely stayed unchanged for generations, keeping people in strict social systems from which they could not escape.B.R. Ambedkar, the father of the Indian constitution, was a Dalit fighter who fought bigotry and pushed for the advancement of the lower castes. Reservations are being employed as a de-segregation tactic as well as a type of compensatory exercise.

Discrimination on any grounds is prohibited under Article 15 of the Indian constitution. Our Constitution ensures that everyone is treated equally, and it is the state's responsibility to take steps to attain this goal. According to the Constitution, equal opportunity means competition between equals, not unequals. Article 341 of the Indian Constitution defines Scheduled Castes and Tribes as disadvantaged indigenous and caste populations.

The reservation programme was instituted to help the lower castes improve their economic prospects, but it has since been misused by politicians for their own gain. This necessitates its examination and amendment in order to benefit society as a whole.