Vamsi’s Tabloid

The recent decision of St. Stephens College affiliated to the Delhi University, to give 50% reservations for Christians is completely unfair.

In my view, this issue of Minority Institutions asking for Reservations for their respective minorities, should be seen as separate from the Reservations Saga for the Scheduled Castes, that the Government of India has undertaken to incorporate in the Constition of India.

Before i go about to explain my way of thinking, i wish to state that i clearly understand that the Reservations are essentially used to uplift the disadvantaged groups, and give them a proper chance for getting good jobs, and to raise the quality of living of these people. Good cause.

But I am of the view that, although this Reservation Saga can be embraced to ensure, that disadvantaged groups are getting some space to put their feet in the mainstream of the society in India today, but the “A man should fit into the concerned job”, idea should be essentially be applicable to those jobs which are being given to these people.

This also applies to the reservations in educational institutions. IITs and IIMs have their respective entrance examinations, and people entering these premier instutes of India, should be able enough to fit into the environment that these institutes offer, both intelligence wise and culturally, other wise
the whole intelligence environment of these institutes will get diluted.

Now, coming to the reservations for minorities. If there are some sub-groups in the Minorities (ie., Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, etc. ) who are not in the mainstream, then those sub-groups alone should be considered for the normal category of “Scheduled Castes Reservations”. This will put those sub-groups in these minorities shoulder-to-sholder with the “Hindu Scheduled Castes/Tribes” that are being included in the “Reservations List”.

The question of having Minorities Reservations just doesnt arise, as that would mean Reservations are being considered on the basis of “Religion”. I understand that the current Reservations are just to give a chance to the “Underpriviledged Groups”.

If reservations are given on the basis of religion, then that would obviously mean breaking the country in the name of religion !

According to me, “Underpriviledged Groups” should include “Hindu Scheduled Castes/Tribes” and “Sub-groups” of other minorities which have been indentified as “Disadvanted Groups”, under the latest Census figures available.

All the above mentioned “Underpriviledged Groups” should eyeing the whole of 27% Reservations.

Hence, this move of St. Stephens College to give 50% reservations to christians is UNFAIR.

Now, one can view this Minority Reservations with a different eyeball.

These are Minority Institutions that are run by their Minorities Trusts, Societies, whatever … , but they are giving the same type of education like any other educatinal Institutions. So, this makes these institutions on the same platform of other educational Institutions.

There is some meaning in “Gurukuls that teach Hinduism“, “Madrasas that teach Koran” or “Sunday Schools that teach Bible“, giving Reservations to their resepcetive communities. The “type of education” inparted in these institutions is peculiar to the respective group.

Well, in this somewhat speculative view, i presume that there is a huge demand to study the other religions, and due to this huge demand, there are not enough seats available for the members of those communities. Hence, reservations for those groups is understandable. In this case, the type of education is the criteria for accepting Minority Reservation in those Minority Institutions namely Gurukuls, Madrasas or Sunday Schools.

But, in the case of St. Stephens College, since the education that is given is the same like any other Educational Institution in India, the question of “Reservations on the basis of Religion” just doesnt arise.

Vamsi Krishna Karra