‘No compromise on merit, support only economically weaker’
| Date :07-Jun-2019 |
By Ajay Mardikar:
‘Save Merit, Save nation’, is a movement launched recently to oppose reservation beyond 50%. The reservation has crossed this limit in Maharashtra, despite restriction by the Supreme Court. The basic principle of granting reservation to backward classes, as provided in the Constitution, has been over-used by the politicians for their own benefit. The purpose of reservation, to bring the underprivileged to the main stream of life, has been defeated during the last seven decades. Instead of gradually eliminating the need for such a reservation, the demand for it is increasing with every passing day.
Rampant misuse of reservation policy, has resulted in the formation of movement ‘Save Merit, Save Nation’. Granting reservation beyond 50% in government medical colleges has been a major the reason. Medical education is possible for students from economically weaker section in government colleges only. Demonstrations are being organised in various parts of the state against reservation beyond 50%. With this issue, the concept of granting reservations based on caste or religion is being discussed. A few prominent persons from the society have expressed their opinion on the issue. Mentioning surnames has been purposefully avoided here, as people start labeling it as movement of a particular caste group.
Devdatta, Pune (Engineer) Reservation should not be granted in education or employment. It can be replaced by guaranteeing employment through skill development programme. Financial aid for the economically backward, irrespective of caste and religion can be granted.
Uday, Nagpur, (Retired School Teacher) Intelligence is a god’s gift and it should not be corrupted through reservation or granting promotion based on caste. On who is capable to do certain work should be giver priority, irrespective of caste, class or religion. It will be real honour of intellect. I strongly oppose reservation policy adopted by Indian government. The reservation was granted for ten years after independence only for upliftment of the then downtrodden community. But it has become a routine for vote bank, by the politicians. Save merit, Save India is the need for development of the nation.
Shaila, Nagpur Retired LIC employee Do we need reservation? Yes. Should it be caste based? No. The core principle of reservation is to empower the underprivileged and to provide equal opportunity. Now the policy has been skewed to provide privileges only to those belonging to certain caste or religion, which itself contradicts the principle of equality. Reservation should be based on economic status only, irrespective of caste or religion.The entrance examinations for professional courses are conducted to examine aptitude and intellectual capabilities. This has no relation to any caste or religion. Caste certificate should not overrule these qualities.
Prerna, Nagpur Retired Bank Employee There should not be any kind of reservation. Education in a particular stream should be imparted based on intellectual level of the student. Any kind of achievement should be through hard work and not through reservation. Commercialisation of education has a reason in reservation a fees concessions.
Alka, Amravati Doctor and social activist The term of reservation, as mentioned in the Constitution, is already over. It is being continued only for political gains. Reservation should be granted only based on economic status to a merit student. Donation seats in private colleges should also be banned. Money cannot buy quality education. The professionals thus trained will harm the nation and the society.
Mukund, Nagpur (Engineer) Reservation in education and jobs should not be caste based. If at all reservation is to be granted (not more than 30%) it should be purely on economic basis. This reservation should also be reduced gradually to zero percent.
Seema, Baramati Homoeopathic doctor and social worker In fact there should not be any kind of reservation. Talented student, who cannot afford education due to economic reasons, may be granted financial help in education. Employment should be based purely on merit.
Jharna, Nagpur Social worker and Art of Living volunteer The Government should support talented students from economically weaker section, by extending financial help or scholarships. But reservation in any form should not be granted by compromising with the merit. Almost every person quoted here, are in favour of extending financial help for talented students from economic weaker section. Reservation should not be based on caste or religion. The merit should not be compromised at any cost, to prevent making of sub-standard professionals. It will ultimately harm the services to the society and development of the nation.