This refers to the editorial, “Quota-Unquota matters” (September 17). The editorial has rightly welcomed the idea of having a debate to start with, on the issue of caste-based reservations. Reservations have done a great disservice to the nation.
They have not only divided the already fragile Hindu society, but have also kindled a race to be seen as backward. India is perhaps the only country in the world where there is a premium on backwardness and people are not ashamed of calling themselves so.
Unfortunately, this calmour has not remained limited to the castes and sub-castes, but has also spread amongst the States as well, where States are competing with each other to be seen as backward without an iota of shame on the performance of the political leadership which has brought the State to such a low level.
Therefore, it is pertinent to have a re-look at the caste-based reservations and scrape them altogether. Who is, however, going to bell the catIJ Not much can be expected from the political class, who have always harvested rich dividends from such a divide.
It is, therefore, for the saner elements within the political class and also within the intellectual class including the media to come forward and take the lead to end this virus in the interest of the country.