Brahmins and Reservation

The case along with so many arguments revealed a clear divide between two sections of society. One bent up on continuing the benefits, sanctioned and enjoyed in the name of castes and there by perpetually keeping the identity and banner of backwardness. The other which is denied and driven out by the same caste considerations.

A fine point that was raised very beautifully, but not answered properly is what determines social backwardness. The same old stories of Brahmins suppressing others and the dominance of upper caste in collages neither impressed any body nor helped a bit to find a solution.

Excluding the Creamy Layer from O.B.C reservation was a bold and neutral step and the court deserves our appreciations for this correct stance. The first step of eliminating the rich from reservation under whatever circumstance will go long way in finding out the poor and deserving.

Brahmins may not have much to gain by the judgment immediately. But they should remember that the laws of this land have begun to acknowledge a simple fact. The affluence and reservation should not go together even under the cover and protection of backward castes. A mere certificate obtained rightly or wrongly proclaiming a person as a backward or most backward caste can not be a gate pass anymore to enter and enjoy all the benefits of higher education.

This land mark aspect of the judgment is perhaps the basic reason for the mixed response and limited enthusiasm exhibited by the so called champions of social justice.

The Brahmins who were keenly watching the various points and queries of judges expected the haven to fall. They sincerely believed that the end of reservation has begun. The desire to see the merit as the sole factor of admission into collages had made them ignore the ground realities.

The political, social and historical compulsions also have their role to play in this matter.

We fully understand and agree that any hard and one sided solution is not possible in the subject of education. The court can not and should not act a like butcher in matters of sentiments and sensibility. By taking out the creamy layer from reservation and calling for revival of the situation the path for prosperity of Brahmins has begun to be seen. Let us pray the God we get the strength and chance to travel in that path at the earliest.

பிராமணர்களும் இட ஒதுக்கீடும் communal reservations