Sibal’s stand on quota creates rift

NEW DELHI: Kapil Sibal’s statement in Hanover opposing the idea of reservations in educational institutions has added a new twist to the ongoing controversy surrounding the reservation issue.

It comes at a time when the government has been trying to underplay the issue, and has managed to convey the impression that the government is pulling in different directions.

On Wednesday, the minister for science and technology told the media in Hanover, “No policy should be taken which will dilute the levels of excellence in our educational institutions at a time when the western countries are looking to us for excellence.”

Meanwhile, Sibal’s statement has not gone down well with his colleagues in the Cabinet and party. Senior ministers in the government are concerned at Cabinet colleagues openly contradicting as they believe that this gives the impression of lack of cohesion.

“There is something called collective responsibility. Ministers should not contradict each other in public,” says a senior minister.