Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The Desire to have a 'Reserved' tag

Just a week before the anniversary of the 'Gujjar' agitation to demand reservation in the state of Rajasthan the Gujjars have set the ball rolling, yet again. Their 'Robin Hood', Col. Bainsla has led them onto the streets and the gang has wreaked havoc yet again.
But why did they have to do all that? RESERVATION is the word.
Now if we just introspect, we have reserved seats in buses and trains for the elderly and the differently abled. In short, for those who are incapable to perform their daily duties and ablutions on their own. How the Gujjars in Rajasthan qualify for reservation is beyond my understanding.
The Constitution of India provided for reservation for the backward classes to ensure they come at par with the better endowed, over time. The Supreme Court ruling has reiterated the same in spirit and conduct, by excluding the Creamy Layer of OBCs from getting the benefits of reservation.
The fact that the Rajasthan government under Vasundhara Raje Scindia had diverted funds in excess of 230 crores to the 6 districts with Gujjar majority has been brushed aside with the omnipresent zeal to get 'reservation'!

Since when has becoming reserved become a prestige issue? And since when has it become legitimate to ask for reservation by crippling the transport network and the economy?

It all stems from the quagmire that the masses have been entrenched into. Reservation means easy jobs and easy money at the cost of those who work hard to clinch the same government seat or job, for the most. It sounds preposterous to go over and burn trucks and create a whole lot of ruckus just to prove that you are in need of some desperate monetary help and social upliftment. But doesn't a fit person, holding crutches just to garner support, appear to be an impostor?

I might have got a bit harsh on the issue, but to ask for reservation, in my opinion is not dignified in any manner. And more so, when there is not racial or social discrimination against the tribe in concern, like the other less privileged ones.

The burning trucks on the national highway. Blood spilled all over the place. Chaos reigning high.
Had the same effort been put to good and constructive work, the things would have been entirely different.

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