Reservation: History of Reservation in India; Such special arrangements in many countries including America-Canada

Posted on 14th Nov 2022 by rohit kumar

Reservation in India has been a very sensitive issue. There is a lot of politics on this. The reservation policy came after the independence of India. However, the idea had started coming before independence. By the way, let us tell you that in some other countries of the world, there is a similar system of reservation with different names and provisions. Let us tell you the history of the reservation system...!

 

Supreme Court's seal on the 103rd amendment to the constitution

The Supreme Court has approved the 103rd amendment to the Constitution to give 10 percent reservation to the poor of the general category. The court said that this arrangement does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution. The judges' comments are very important during this decision. Justice Bela Trivedi said that the purpose of the system of reservation was to rectify historical mistakes and to give equal opportunities to all in society. If the objective is not achieved even in seven decades, then it should be reviewed. Justice JB Pardiwala also said that reservation cannot be made an eternal system. These remarks of the judges have once again emphasized the discussion on the justification of reservation and its review.

 

Forward and backward even among reservation beneficiary castes?

This question has been raised many times from different forums as to how much the targeted section of society has benefited from the system of reservation. Has this system been successful in fulfilling its purpose? Even among the beneficiary castes, things like forward and backward situations come to the fore. In many cases, it has been seen that only certain people have been taking advantage of reservations for a long time. Does the question also arise that how to benefit those who are still neglected? It is worth noting that at the time of the discussion on the reservation, arguments were also put forward in the Constituent Assembly regarding its time limit and review. While assessing the experiences regarding the reservation system, there is a need to discuss its nature. Whether it is better to continue the system of reservation in its present form or there is a need to make timely changes to it, its investigation is a big issue for all of us today.

 

Thoughts started coming before the independence

 

In 1882, the Hunter Commission was constituted regarding primary education. Then Jyotirao Phule advocated free and compulsory education for the deprived sections.

 

In the princely state of Travancore, in 1891, there was a demand for reservation in government jobs against giving priority to outsiders in civil jobs.

 

In 1901-02 Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj of the princely state of Kolhapur started the reservation system. Along with ensuring free education for the underprivileged sections, hostels were also opened. Such provisions were made so that everyone gets an equal basis. He was in favor of a classless society. In the notification of 1902, 50 percent reservation was made for the backward/deprived community in jobs.

 

In 1908, the British also made some provisions in the administrative system to increase the share of the castes which had less share in the administration.

 

A strong system built in independent India

The constitution provided for reservations for scheduled castes and tribes. Later, reservation for backward classes was also arranged.

 

Mandal commission changed the picture

 

The Janata Party government under the leadership of Morarji Desai constituted a commission under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal in 1979 to identify the socially and educationally backward. Reservation of seats and fixation of quota was also the object of the commission.

 

The commission did not have the actual data of the sub-castes included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC). Based on population data from 1930, the commission declared 1,257 communities as backward and fixed their population at 52 percent. In 1980, the commission, in its report, suggested increasing the quota system from 22 percent to 49.5 percent, including the share of backward castes. In this, a provision of 27 percent was made for OBC. In 1990, VP Singh's government implemented its suggestions.

 

The Supreme Court, while holding the reservation legal, ruled that in no case the scope of the reservation should be more than 50 percent.

 

improvement in living standards

According to the then Planning Commission report in 2014, there was a sharp decline in the number of poor among SC, ST, and other OBC categories between 2004-05 to 2011-12.

 

Reservation systems in many countries of the world

In some other countries of the world, a similar system of reservation is seen with different names and provisions. Pre-independence efforts were started to bring forward the marginalized and left-behind sections of society. If analyzed, these provisions have also seen wide changes in society.

 

developed country

America: Under Affirmative Action, blacks facing racial discrimination are given additional numbers in some places for equal representation. The reservation of black artists is also fixed in the media and films there.

 

Canada: There is a provision for equal employment here. Under this, the general and minorities also benefit there. Sikhs from India are examples of this. Sweden: A reservation-like arrangement has been made here under the General Affirmative Action.

 

Also Read: EWS Reservation: What happened on the EWS reservation in Supreme Court? Understand the decision of all the judges in five points