Indian Media Bash Blog

I sent my mail to The Pioneer and the mail was published subsequently in an “edited” version. The text of the email has been cross posted on Desi Critics.

The mail is as follows:

1) Here are some possible reasons why the nation is engaged in a debate on the topic of reservation in institutions of higher education:
Indian Polity has manaufactured scarcities without allowing for growth of the industry/individuals. This perverted logic helps the people in power because it gives them unbridled rights to control production. The erstwhile licence raj is a case in point where the Government had a stranglehold on the entire industry. It also allowed for kickbacks which set up a system for those who had access to resources and it kept everyone happy.

2) Another logic is vote bank politics: it calls for a unique system in India where the “traditional” seats are won/lost and families retain control. Hereditary politics ensures that what the father did for the section of society, the son would follow the same and keep up the momentum to ensure the comfort levels enjoyed by a section.

3) Arjun Singh, in all his wisdom, doesn’t brook the illusion that he has a mass base. He knows that as an individual, he can be sacrificed if things get ugly. We have had no word from Sonia Gandhi and the “progressive dashing Rahul Gandhi”. If the reservations “controversy” is weathered, it would be a windfall for Congress in the coming UP State Elections and Congress can crow about the “benefits” to “aam aadmi”. Their studied silence can only portend more trouble because the solution to the present impasse doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. No wonder, this Government has seen the largest number of ministers “elected” from Rajya Sabha.

4) The more sinister reason is that this Government is hell bent on creating fissures in Hindu Society by harping on the reservations and the “downtrodden”. The present generation scarcely believes in the concept of SC/ ST/ OBC’s et al. Yet, by their actions they are going to ensure that the divisions remain permanent.

In a way, I believe that we are paying for the folly of not exercising our franchise and making the political structure accountable. The present impasse should serve as a wake up call that the politicians are accountable to the public; those who didn’t vote have perhaps no right to complain. Through this post, I would appeal to people to vote next time around and participate in nation building process - the nation in which you wish to live.