The Supreme Court’s decision on quotas for OBCs has been welcomed by many leaders, especially former deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal, national president of the Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad.
The Supreme Court’s decision on quotas for OBCs has been welcomed by many leaders, especially former deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal, national president of the Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad.
Bhujbal told DNA Correspondent Neeta Kolhatkar that states in north India should follow the example of those in the south which have 75 percent reservations and are among the most developed in the country today
What is the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision?
Some states like Maharashtra had already begun implementing the reservation policy. We were waiting for this decision in order to implement it in central-run educational institutes. This is a very important decision because had it gone against us, we would have had to reverse the decision which would have several ramifications.
Don’t you feel reservations will create divisions?
The decision will enable parents who were themselves deprived of education for so long to give their children an opportunity to progress in life. What divisions and fears are we talking about?
The southern states which have 75 percent reservation are the most advanced in our country-look at their infrastructure, education standards and the learned policy makers, bureaucrats and legal experts they have produced. States in the north have yet to achieve this kind of progress.
The fact that they are the ones opposing any sort of reservations reflects a divisive mentality. The Supreme Court’s decision will encourage equality of education among all castes as well as Muslims.
What about the allegations of upper castes that standards of education will be lowered?
These allegations are baseless. Reservations for SCs and STs has been there for some time now and standards are still being maintained.
We are asking for little flexibility at the entry level. Once in, all the students will have to
prove themselves. We aren’t asking for favours.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}