Social Justice in India

Before I was born, Pandit Nehru wrote this letter to Chief Ministers,on reservation

2008-05-13T22:42:00.001+05:30

Pandit Nehru’s letter to Chief Ministers on June 27, 1961
I have referred above to efficiency and to our getting out of our traditional ruts. This necessitates our getting out of the old habit of reservations and particular privileges being given to this caste or that group. The recent meeting we held here, at which the chief ministers were present, to consider national integration, laid down that help should be given on economic considerations and not on caste. It is true that we are tied up with certain rules and conventions about helping Scheduled Castes and Tribes. They deserve help but, even so, I dislike any kind of reservation, more particularly in service. I react strongly against anything which leads to inefficiency and second-rate standards. I want my country to be a first class country in everything. The moment we encourage the second-rate, we are lost.The only real way to help a backward group is to give opportunities for good education. This includes technical education, which is becoming more and more important. Everything else is provision of some kind of crutches which do not add to the strength or health of the body. We have made recently two decisions which are very important: one is, universal free elementary education, that is the base; and the second is scholarships on a very wide scale at every grade of education to bright boys and girls, and this applies not merely to literary education, but, much more so, to technical, scientific and medical training. I lay stress on bright and able boys and girls. I have no doubt that there is a vast reservoir of potential talent in this country if only we can give it opportunity.But if we go in for reservations on communal and caste basis, we swamp the bright and able people and remain second-rate or third-rate. I am grieved to learn of how far this business of reservation has gone based on communal consideration. It has amazed me to learn that even promotions are based sometimes on communal and caste considerations. This way lies not only folly, but disaster. Let’s help the backward groups by all means, but never at the cost of efficiency. How are we going to build our public sector or indeed any sector with second-rate people?Jawaharlal Nehru, Letters to Chief Ministers 1947-1964, Volume 5, Oxford University Press, 1989, PP 456-7

Delhi HC notice to Centre on OBC quota implementation in post graduate programs

2008-05-13T00:05:00.000+05:30

http://economictime s.indiatimes. com/PoliticsNati on/HC_notice_ to_Centre_ on_OBC_quota/ articleshow/ 3033023.cms

Some other good reference site on this subject

2008-05-12T22:57:00.001+05:30

http://vichaarah.blogspot.com/2005/11/previous-posts.html - read under the category 'Reservation'. Links to Rajiv Gandhi's famous speech inparliamant on the subject.

http://nravisankar-ca.sulekha.com/mp/tagdisplay.aspx?tagtitleurl=Quotas

http://blog.sajithm.com/index.php/category/thoughts/reservation - also links to an interesting pro-reservation site

http://india.targetgenx.com/tag/reservations/

> http://india.targetgenx.com/2008/05/06/rti-on-reservations-to-mhrd-makes-a-shocking-revelation/

> http://india.targetgenx.com/2008/05/08/the-divisive-policy-of-reservations/#respond - see the poignant but accurate cartoon on this link

> http://india.targetgenx.com/tag/youth-for-equality/

http://www.naachgaana.com/2008/04/17/aaj-ka-arjun/

http://news.moneycontrol.com/india/news/politics/politicsreservations/reservationreflectscurrentdayrealitychidambaram/market/stocks/article/219974

http://www.amitsrivastava.in/archives/2006_06_01_archive.html - contains Rajiv Gandhi's famous speech

2007-05-08T21:46:00.002+05:30

Who will Protect the Supreme Court in face of Political Intimidation?

MPs cannot simply assert the supremacy of Parliament; they must also meet the obligations of constitutional morality.

Read more on this here http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/United_Colours_Of_Caste/articleshow/2009070.cms and on constitutional morality on the following blog entry.

2007-05-08T21:46:00.001+05:30

Constitutional Morality - How can it be destroyed

Ref: http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2207/stories/20050408002302000.htm

The bane of Indian politics is the lack of one political virtue - that of political morality. A nation afflicted with financial bankruptcy can hope, by hard work and consistent discipline, to regain its economic development and political stability. But, once moral bankruptcy sets in, it will take a long time to repair the damage done.

The makers of the Constitution of India were very much aware that a democratic republic can be maintained only with virtue, public spirit and the intelligence of its citizens. These basic requirements of a republic were emphasised by Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, Chairman of the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly. Inaugurating the Assembly on December 9, 1946, he quoted eminent American jurist Justice Joseph Story's views about making and protecting a Constitution: "The structure has been erected by architects of consummate skill and fidelity; its foundations are solid; its compartments are beautiful, as well as useful; its arrangements are full of wisdom and order; and its defences are impregnable from without. It has been reared for immortality, if the work of man may justly aspire to such a title. It may, nevertheless, perish in an hour by the folly, or corruption, or negligence of its only keepers, the people. Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them."

While introducing the Draft Constitution on November 4, 1948, for consideration in the Constituent Assembly, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar emphasised the need for diffusion of `constitutional morality' in the people for the successful working of the Constitution. He added: "The question is, can we presume such a diffusion of constitutional morality? Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment. It has to be cultivated. We must realise that our people have yet to learn it. Democracy in India is only a top-dressing on an Indian soil which is essentially undemocratic."

Presenting the finalised Draft of the Constitution on November 25, 1949, to the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Ambedkar concluded by saying: "Independence is no doubt a matter of joy. But let us not forget that this independence has thrown on us great responsibilities. By independence, we have lost the excuse of blaming the British for anything going wrong. If hereafter things go wrong, we will have nobody to blame except ourselves. There is great danger of things going wrong."

In a democracy, the citizens should realise that governing is too important to be left to the government of the day and that politics too important to be left to the politicians in power or aspiring for power.

2007-05-08T21:46:00.000+05:30

Under-representation of Disadvantaged Classes in Colleges : What do the Data Tell us

Article by Rana Hassan and Aashish Mehta, EPW, Sep 2, 06

Attention to quality of basic education, not college reservation will be economically the first-best response to the problem

http://www.epw.org.in/epw/uploads/articles/5546.pdf

2007-04-25T00:15:00.002+05:30

Avoid 'demonstrably perverse identification of the backward classes' warned the Supreme Court

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=c1309805-4d34-4721-baa4-56840a1fbfbb&MatchID1=4456&TeamID1=1&TeamID2=3&MatchType1=2&SeriesID1=1104&PrimaryID=4456

'Crude determinism in all forms endangers democracy. Economic determinism gave socialism a bad name and eventually dismantled the mighty Soviet Union. Even the charismatic intellectual reputation of Marx was belittled by the dogmatic material determinism of latter-day Marxists. By the same token, let not caste slurs and sneers, and a few tarnished pieces of political silver, undermine our hard-won democracy.'

2007-04-25T00:15:00.001+05:30

Children of a Lesser God! 'The Sacrilige of worship'

For Dalits, the battle against oppression is not easily won.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=09c0b2cc-4090-4fc3-9c92-d9fef8a590f1

Unless we address this how can we fight reservation....it will always be polular.... it will always win votes. Upper caste, society, religious, spiritual, and social leaders, need to address this. Politicians will not. It is too easy to let status quo be so, so that they can win votes. If the issue does not exist then an easy way to win votes goes away.

2007-04-25T00:15:00.000+05:30

SC Stays OBC Quota/ Pan-IIM Alumni Association files petition against quota in SC

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/IIM_alumni_body_cites_Nehru_files_PIL_in_SC/articleshow/1947065.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/No_OBC_quota_in_IIMs_IITs_this_year/articleshow/1947041.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Creamy_layer_is_not_backward_SC/articleshow/1947070.cms

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=24_04_2007_008_018&mode=undefined

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/ArticleImage.aspx?article=24_04_2007_001_026&mode=1

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/EVAL/navigator.asp?AW=1177440794156

2006-12-27T23:44:00.000+05:30

Very moving YouTube video - ‘I am a Dalit. How are you?’

http://www.shivamvij.com/2006/10/i-am-a-dalit-how-are-you.html

Hear the shattering of the aspirations towards the end.

2006-12-27T23:34:00.000+05:30

Dalit excesses - Priyanka Bhotmange’s Story of Khairlanji Brings Tears in Sonia Gandhi’s Eyes

http://www.indiadaily.org/entry/priyanka-bhotmanges-story-of-khairlanji-brings-tears-in-sonia-gandhis-eyes/

More....http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2006/10/14/india-dalits-and-rights/

2006-12-27T23:08:00.000+05:30

Pan-IIT alumni against OBC quota

http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/nov/16iit.htm

2006-12-27T22:54:00.000+05:30

India Shining! Sad that the following is still happening in 21st century

No wonder that politicians can get brownie points with votes if they espouse populist causes like reservations in institutes of higher learning. If only we voice angst against such occurances, that the issue will attain balance. It is as much our responsibility to fight this as it is to fight political quick fixes like reservations. We should be part of a solution that just a problem. We cannot create a solution without understanding the root cause and opposing that as well.

2006-12-18T10:58:00.000+05:30

Caste Hindus agree to allow Dalits into temple

http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/18/stories/2006121806491200.htm

(Finally something creditable and useful - all enlightened persons should support this and oppose discrimination with anyone any caste any religion.)

Prafulla Das

BHUBANESWAR: After four days of uncertainty, the administration on Sunday succeeded in making caste Hindus agree to allow Dalits enter the Jagannath temple in Keredagada village of Orissa's Kendrapara district.
Tension gripped Keredagada and adjoining villages after hundreds of Dalits entered the temple on Thursday despite opposition from the upper caste people. The Dalit move was backed by a High Court order, which said all Hindus, irrespective of their caste, could enter any Hindu temple.
The Dalit entry into the 300-year-old shrine resulted in the priests and servitors deserting the temple and the upper castes observing a bandh in the area on Friday followed by a protest dharna on Saturday.
The rituals in the temple were resumed late on Saturday after the king of the erstwhile Kanika kingdom and interim trustee of the temple, Rabindra Narayan Bhanjdeo, visited the site and held discussions with the caste Hindus. They, however, did not respond to Mr. Bhanjdeo's appeal to give up their opposition to Dalit entry into the temple.
Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central) Suresh Mohapatra and Deputy Inspector-General (Central) S.K. Upadhyaya reached the area and held a meeting with representatives of both the Dalits and the upper castes and an agreement was reached.
It was decided at the meeting that the nine holes on the outer wall of the temple through which the Dalits had darshan of the deities from a distance in the past would be demolished and a new entrance would be constructed.

2006-12-18T00:18:00.000+05:30

Life as an Untouchable

Ran into this interesting episode on a link from a blog right next to this one...on how is life as an untouchable in India as seen from the eyes of a foreigner visiting India...not too long ago, Jan 2003.

Please read at the end...the paradox.
http://www.beginningwithi.com/travel/servants.htm

2006-12-17T23:10:00.000+05:30

Orissa temple re-opens after purification rituals

Indo-Asian News Service

Kendrapada, Orissa, December 17, 2006

Priests performed late night purification rituals at an Orissa temple and opened it for three days after its closure by upper castes protesting the entry of Dalits, reports said on Sunday.

Members of the royal family, whose ancestors had built the Jagannath temple some 300 years ago at Keradagarh village, 45 km from Kendrapada, spent hours talking to both the Dalits and upper castes on Saturday night, after which the temple was opened.

This is a shameful act by India and Hindu's defying social equality that too backed by the court. Who should be help responsible for comtempt of court? Will our politicians come forward and take a stand for the OBC's now?

More details http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1870637,000900030010.htm

2006-12-17T23:08:00.000+05:30

Dalits enter Jagannath temple in Keradgarh

Sampad Mahapatra

Thursday, December 14, 2006 (Keradgarh):

A small group of Dalits defied an age-old ban to enter the Jagannath Temple in Orissa's Keradagarh village on Thursday. Two platoons of policemen provided security to the group.

The move comes after the Orissa High Court ruled that all Hindus, including Dalits, could enter the temple.

In November last year, four Dalit girls had been humiliated by upper caste Hindus for entering the temple.

The issue snowballed into a major controversy and the matter was finally settled by the Orissa HC.

More details here
http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Dalits+enter+Jagannath+temple+in+Keradgarh&id=97920&category=National

2006-12-17T23:01:00.000+05:30

Dalits win entry right to Jagannath temple

Thursday, December 7, 2006 (Kendrapara):

After a two-year battle with upper castes over their right to enter the local Jagannath temple, the Dalits in Keradagarh village in Orissa's Kendrapara district have won the support of the High Court.

It was ruled on Tuesday that all Hindus, irrespective of their caste status, have the right to enter the temple.

This is creditable. Worthy of being an Indian and a Hindu.

More details http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?category=National&template=dalitatrocities&slug=Dalits+win+entry+right+to+Jagannath+temple&id=97547&callid=1

2006-09-03T23:53:00.000+05:30

Is reservation in private sector warranted? Read Amit Mitra here http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-841442,curpg-3.cms

Read Sukhdeo Thorat here http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/841438.cms

Read Rajinder Sachar here http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/841422.cms

2006-09-03T23:47:00.000+05:30

Is affirmative action limited to quotas? Read Amit Mitra, President, FICCI on the subject. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1527403.cms

2006-09-03T23:44:00.000+05:30

Read on how other countries improved social justice and equality without resorting to reservation as the first step. http://www.oxusresearch.com/downloads/cp160604.pdf

2006-09-03T22:42:00.000+05:30

Merit can co-exist with affirmative action: Empower people to be competent. Do not give them the crutch of a reservation. Let the government not run away from its responsibility of creating competence. Reservation has no government effort or expense. Hold the Govternment accountable for providing primay education to all. Quotas are a lazy option for the government. It is a globally competitive world. There is no reservattion for India there. One has to compete. China has addressed primary education and especially women empowerment far better than India. If they can do this why can we not? Due to government inability to implement primary education effectively. Over 70% of SC children drop out before reaching class X. 80% of seats for SC/ST go empty in ITI's. Can we aim to get these percentages to zero!

What is the cost of reservation? Is it worth the social divide? Is it worth branding some people as OBCs or SC/ST? Does this not propagate the caste system. In year Zero India's share of global export was 30%. In 1991 it was 1%. Is this due to caste system? We are condemning India to be backward and we should seek reservation for us in the world!

Read example below of empowerment in action for social upliftment.

'The group of ministers headed by Mr Sharad Pawar sent questionnaires to more than 250 industry and trade associations on the topic but not even 10 per cent responded. Very few private organisations have furnished details about the social composition of their employees. A notable exception is Hindustan Lever Limited that employs 33,000 people, of which more than half (55 per cent) belong to SCs/STs/OBCs. Interestingly, HLL recruited most of these employees from employment exchanges and merit was the only criterion for selection.
The example of the largest multinational corporation operating in India clearly indicates that merit can coexist with affirmative action.' Read here for details. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060428/edit.htm#th