Should there be reservation for the Marathas over which Maharashtra bandh has been called today?

(Courtesy: Zee News)

Sadly, we’ve come to a time when certain communities and classes feel that it is their “right” to have quotas in jobs, education and other areas just because they aren’t a part of the majority. And this is exactly we’ve been seeing in India as of late. The Patels, the Jats in Haryana, and the Marathas now—they have been bluntly demanding (and protesting) for reservation, despite the fact that majority of these communities are highly influential and well-to-do. They don’t need quotas.

Talking about the latest in the saga, NO, Marathas shouldn’t get quotas in jobs and education. They don’t deserve it. Of course, some of them do need it. But when you look at the community at large, they are quite good economically and socially. And the fact that, in their protests, they have damaged so much of state’s properties over the last month, it must be factored too when forming an opinion (if you aren’t already very sure) whether they should get the quotas or not.

I mean Maharashtra bandh for 10 hours can mean a loss in trade of more than Rs 100 crores. You cannot justify that. Not at least when the demand is completely uncalled for.

The same should be applied for the Patels in Gujarat, Jats in Haryana, and Gujjars in Rajasthan. They disrupted the functioning of the entire state. In fact, the states were like wild fare during their agitations. They don’t deserve reservation.

It’s high time that the government takes a strong stance against this uprising trend of ‘reservation quotas’. But sadly, that won’t be happening ever. For example, the Marathas form 30 percent of Maharashtra’s total population. Upsetting them would mean a BIG loss in their vote bank.

In fact, Mumbai CM Fadnavis is already but mutedly showing signs to give them a 16 percent quota. Committee’s report is due in November. Remember, BJP has always maintained a moral stand against reservation. So, the November report is very crucial ahead of General Election 2019. If BJP awards Marathas the reservation, it’ll likely be losing its moral ground and giving opposition and media the chance to bash them. If it doesn’t agree to the demands of the Marathas, 30 percent of Maharashtra’s vote bank might not support the BJP in elections. Personally, I think the report deadline will be further pushed to 2019, dated only after General Election 2019.

It is for the same reason, the political intricacies of such issues in elections, will you now find a grave silence even on opposition’s part. You won’t hear many of them come up and voice their opinion on the latest Maratha agitation. General Election 2019 could possibly be one of the most important elections in independent India.

And political parties – ruling or opposition – will play their cards extremely cautiously; even it means complete melting the social fabric of India.

Nonetheless, the demand for reservation in India from at-large well-to-do communities is absurd at best. But we won’t be seeing that change anytime soon, given the complex (and immoral) political culture we have in the country. Actually, expect more communities and class come up to demand reservations in the coming months. It’s fashionable now.

But for the rest of us, it’s crucial that we maintain our position neutral and recognize the true need and benefit of reservation. For the right people and with the right implementation, it can change lives.