On Reservations

The reservation policies of successive governments have created the most divisions in India. While free India’s first government might have been motivated to alleviate caste-inflicted discrimination to provide a more level playing field, the quota policy was given a five-year term to be extended only if absolutely necessary.

Today, discrimination exists in reservations wherein merit is ignored on caste grounds and economically deprived sections are refused a chance for not falling in a reserved category. This bodes ill for progress and growth. Governments must end caste-based reservations and provide economic subsidies to encourage genuine talent from all economic strata.

Suren Abreu

(Letter to The Editor, Times of India, January 2, 2012)